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JUNE 8, 2018

VOL. 6 NO. 323

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PH-SOKOR TIES

President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in shake hands after they declare their joint press statement following the successful bilateral meeting at the Blue House in Seoul on June 4, 2018. Story on page 13.

TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Duterte’s ‘kiss gimmick’ draws flak online

BY BEA KIRSTEIN T. MANALAYSAY Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE PRESIDENT is again in hot waters for his actions, as the netizens from the world wide web criticize his kiss gimmick.

During his official visit to meet over-

10

TRAIN is needed to run country: Duterte

seas Filipino workers (OFWs) in South Korea, a video making rounds online captured President Rodrigo Roa Duterte kissing a Filipina on stage.

While speaking before the OFW community, Duterte said in jest that he would give a book in exchange for a kiss, and stressed that he would only accept

19 Challenging the myths about millennials and housing

❱❱ PAGE 10 Duterte’s ‘kiss’

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❱❱ PAGE 28

Handbag designer Kate Spade found hanged in apparent suicide

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FRIDAY JUNE 8, 2018

Duterte makes public apology to Kuwait for his ‘harsh’ words in previous tirade

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE PHILIPPINE leader on Sunday, June 3, made a public apology to Kuwait for using “harsh language” in his previous tirade over reports of abuses against some overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Gulf State.

During his meeting with the Filipino community in South Korea, President Rodrigo Duterte said, “For the first time, I would say that I was harsh in my language, maybe because that was a result of an emotional outburst but I’d like to apologize now.”

“I’m sorry for the language that I was using. But I’m very satisfied by the way how you responded to the problems of my country,” he added.

The President earlier issued a

tirade against Kuwait following a string of reported deaths and abuses on Filipino workers in the Gulf State, including household worker Joanna Demafelis whose corpse was found inside a freezer. This prompted the Chief Executive to impose a total ban deployment of the OFWs in Kuwait.

The diplomatic row intensified after a video showing the rescue of distressed Filipino workers by some staff of the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait went viral. The Gulf State, angered by this action, took it as a violation of its sovereignty.

However, the tension between the Philippines and Kuwait eventually cooled down when the two countries signed a memorandum of agreement (MOU) which will ensure the safety and welfare of OFWs in the Gulf State. This move led to

the lifting of deployment ban of Filipino workers in Kuwait.

In his speech, the President said he has no doubt that the Kuwaiti government will honor the signed deal.

“I think I’ll go there. I’d like to thank the Kuwaiti government for understanding us and keeping their faith in us and practically gave to all of my demands,” he said.

“I’d like to go there even just a few hours to say ’maraming salamat’ (thank you),” he added.

The working conditions set

by Duterte includes no confiscation of passports and cellphones of the Filipino workers, ability to cook for their own meal, a day off per week, and seven hours of sleep each night.

He also asked Kuwait to ensure that there will be no sexual harassment of OFWs in the Gulf State. ■

RIMPAC to make PH Navy more efficient, effective PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY MANILA — The Philippine Navy’s (PN) participation in this year’s Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval drills in Hawaii will greatly enhance its operational capability, making it more efficient and effective in its mandated task.

“The PN’s participation in this undertaking is expected to advance its maritime operational capability to multilateral level, thereby increasing readiness and interoperability and enabling the nation’s premiere maritime force to be more effective and efficient in the conduct of its mandated task,” Navy spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said in statement over the weekend.

Two Navy ships, the strategic sealift vessel BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602) and frigate BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17),

along with its Agusta Westland AW-109 naval helicopter, will participate in RIMPAC 2018 on June 27 to August 2.

These assets, along with an estimated 700 sailors and marines, are expected to depart from Cebu to the Hawaiian training area by June 6.

The RIMPAC maneuvers, considered to be the world’s largest international maritime war games, are led by the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet. Its theme this year is “Capable, Adaptive, Partners”.

Lincuna said this is the first time the PN will be deploying naval and air assets to RIMPAC. “In the past years, we were active and regularly sending participants as observers for the RIMPAC but this time it will be the first that we will be sending our ships (Tarlacclass and Del Pillar-class) and aircraft (AW-109) and around 700 sailors and marines,” he added. ■

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Diesel from Russia is for stockpiling: DOE

BY JELLY MUSICO Philippine News Agency MANILA — The government’s plan to import cheaper diesel from Russia and other non-Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) nations aims to boost the country’s stock, Department of Energy (DOE) on Thursday said.

“Yes, stockpiling. We don’t have that level of energy security yet,” DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said in a Palace press briefing.

“We have to continue to be energy efficient so that we can grow more as a country,” he added.

Fuentebella, however, said importing diesel from other sources should be scrutinized to make sure it is advantageous to the government.

“It’s out of the box in a way. That is why we really have to closely scrutinize this because the personality here is government, not private. So it’s different negotiation,” he said.

He said DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi wanted to hasten the importation of cheaper diesel from Russia.

“The Secretary said as soon as possible with a warning that it will be closely scrutinized every step of the way so that we will ensure that it will bring benefits and not disadvantageous our transaction,” Fuentebella said.

Cusi, according to him, has already directed the Philippine National Oil Company Exploration Corporation to secure storage facilities for the stockpiling.

Fuentebella said Clark or Subic is being considered as an area for storage facilities.

Aside from Russia, Fuentebella said the government is also looking for other non-OPEC members like Thailand as source of cheaper diesel.

“We have already started the discussion and at the same time looking for other options that will be available,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fuentebella reminded the public to save energy all the time by switching or unplugging unused electrical appliances.

“Sometimes we tend to relax and forget what we should do in our home or office. We have to have more energy managers,” he said. ■

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.

ALFRED FRIAS / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

4.6% inflation won’t hinder gov’t projects: Dominguez

BY AZER PARROCHA Philippine News Agency

seeing that trend going down,” Dominguez said.

The public and some lawmakers have blamed the Tax Reform for AcceleraMANILA — Department of Finance Sec- tion and Inclusion (TRAIN) law for the retary Carlos “Sonny” Domingez III on increase in the prices of basic goods and Tuesday said that the rising inflation services. rates will not hinder the Duterte adminThe finance chief, however, assured istration from implementing projects the public that the government is not that will be beneficial to Filipinos in the casting the figures aside and that it was long run. doing its best to assist the impact of “We shall continue to prioritize in- TRAIN through mitigation measures. vestments that will improve health and “We already know that the main coneducation of our people, enhance secu- tributors for inflation are higher tobacrity and public order and build a world co products, the cost of... the imported class infrastructure,” Dominguez said in cost of fuel and the higher prices of rice, a press conference in Seoul, South Ko- corn and fish. And we are already takrea. ing steps to stay ahead of the situation,” “We realized that Dominguez said. this is not an easy He also reiterated task. We have to face that TRAIN is not the short term chalthe sole reason for lenges of the fast the increase in inflagrowing economy tion but also the efand we must tackle We will fect of high global oil these problems in orcontinue our prices driven by under to succeed in the efforts for our favorable geopolitilong run. The 4.6 perpeople and cal events, along with cent inflation rate in for the future the import quotas on May of 2018 cannot generations. rice. hinder us from our He said the best objective,” he added. way to address inDominguez made flation is to pass the the statement after Rice Tariffication government data Act. released Tuesday “The estimates are showed that inflation in May rose to 4.6 it will bring down rice prices by around percent, higher than April’s rate of 4.5 7 pesos per kilo for the Filipino families percent but generally lower than the and reduce inflation to below 4 percent market’s expectation. by the second half of the year. We will Dominguez said the inflation rate is continue our efforts for our people and already showing some signs of “leveling for the future generations,” Dominguez off” amid a decrease in fuel prices. said.

“As you know, we watched very care“The economic team of the Duterte fully the prices of fuel, and they have administration would like to assure you, been on the downtrend. In fact, the fu- as well as the Filipino people, that the tures market of the fuel is—the techni- Duterte administration remains comcal term is in backwardation, the price mitted to reforming our socio-economic of future deliveries of fuel are actually structure towards a more inclusive socilower than the current prices. So we are ety,” he added. ■

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Philippine News

JUNE 8, 2018

FRIDAY

Oral arguments on plea vs. PH withdrawal from ICC set July 24

BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD CALIWAN Philippine News Agency MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) set the oral arguments on the petition filed by six senators seeking to declare as invalid the Philippine government’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on July 24.

SC spokesman Theodore Te made the announcement after the resumption of the SC en banc from its month-long recess.

Te said the court ordered respondents to comment within a non-extendible period of 10 days from notice and the presentation of oral arguments on July 24 at 2 p.m. at the SC Session Hall.

Senators Francis Pangilinan, Franklin Drilon, Paolo Benigno Aquino, Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros, and Antonio Trillanes IV filed 17-page petition for certiorari and mandamus and said that under Article VII Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution, “entering into treaty or international agreement requires participation of Congress, that is, through concurrence of at least 2/3 of all the members of the Senate.”

“The Executive initiates entry into a treaty or international agreement as the Chief Architect of Foreign Affairs. However, for such treaty or international agreement to be ‘valid and effective’ in the Philippines, the participation of Congress is necessary because such treaty or international agreement becomes a law in the Philippines,” the petition read.

Named respondents in the petition were DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, UN Ambassador Teodoro Locsin Jr., and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.

The lawmakers also asked the High Court to compel the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations to notify the United Nations Secretary General that the Philippines is revoking the notice of withdrawal that it received last March 17.

The diplomatic note stated that the “decision to withdraw is the Philippines’ principled stand against those who politicize and weaponize human rights, even as its independent and well-functioning organs and agencies continue to exercise jurisdiction over complaints, issues, problems and concerns arising from its efforts to protect the people.”

The petitioners said the Rome Statute is a treaty validly entered into by the

Philippines that has the same status as a law enacted by Congress.

“The Executive cannot abrogate or repeal a law. In the same vein, the Executive cannot unilaterally withdraw from a treaty or international agreement because such withdrawal is equivalent to a repeal of a law,” they argued.

In withdrawing its membership from the ICC, the petitioners claimed that the respondents committed usurpation of legislative powers, which is punishable under the Revised Penal Code.

The petitioners cited the case of South Africa which had notified the ICC of its intention to withdraw from the treaty.

The move was challenged by opposition figures in South Africa before its High Court which eventually ruled on Feb. 22, 2017 that President Jacob Zuma and his Cabinet’s ICC notification of withdrawal was premature, procedurally irrational, and that the government could not make the decision without the approval of Parliament.

“Given that the instrument of withdrawal received by the Secretary-General of the United Nations on March 17, 2018 is inconsistent with the Philippine Constitution, the Honorable Court must order the Executive Department to carry out its cancellation, revocation or withdrawal, similar to the case of South Africa,” the petitioners said.

On March 14, Duterte announced the Philippines’ withdrawal of its ratification of the Rome Statute, a United Nations (UN) treaty creating the ICC. In the statement, Duterte cited “baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks” against him and his administration as the reason for his withdrawal as a state party.

“Given the baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks on my person as well as against my administration, engineered by the officials of the United Nations, as well as the attempt by the International Criminal Court special prosecutor to place my person within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, in violation of due process and the presumption of innocence expressly guaranteed by the Philippine Constitution and recognized no less by the Rome Stature, I therefore declare and forthwith give notice, as President of the Republic of the Philippines, that the Philippines is withdrawing its ratification of the Rome Statute effective immediately,” the President said in a statement.

This came after ICC special prosecutor Fatou Bensouda began a preliminary examination on the alleged human rights violations amid the Duterte administration’s intensified war on drugs. ■

Aquino seeks junking of Dengvaxia-related raps for lack of merit

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer FORMER PRESIDENT Benigno Noynoy Aquino III asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to junk criminal complaint lodged against him over the P3.5-billion dengue immunization program for lack of merit.

Aquino on Monday, June 4, attended the preliminary investigation into the complaint filed by Philippine Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner and Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) lawyer Manuelito Luna and Eligio Mallari of the Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution, Inc. (VPCI) last February.

Aquino and his co-respondents are accused of violating Section 3 of Republic Act (RA) No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), Article 22 (Techni-

Former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

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cal Malversation of the Revised Penal Code; Section 65 of RA 9184 (Government Procurement, Reform Act), and Article 365 (Criminal Negligence) of the Revised Penal Code.

In his 27-page counter affidavit, Aquino asked the DOJ to dismiss these charges for lack of merit, saying that the complainants failed to substantiate the charges they filed.

According to Aquino, there is no evidence to prove that the deaths were caused by Dengvaxia vaccines.

“A fact-finding investigation relative to the matter is still ongoing, and medical experts have, in fact, categorically declared that to date, there has not been any definitive finding that the deaths were directly caused by the administration of Dengvaxia vaccine,” he said.

He also maintained that there was no ❱❱ PAGE 8 Aquino seeks

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SC orders SolGen to comment on Sereno plea vs. quo warranto

BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD CALIWAN Philippine News Agency

at the same time judges of the person sought to be removed,” he noted.

“The country calls on the Justices to set aside personal animosity and rule only according to what is right,” he added.

MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) on In seeking the reversal of the Court’s Tuesday ordered the Office of Solicitor ruling, Sereno argued that the nullifiGeneral (OSG) to comment on the mo- cation of her appointment through the tion for reconsideration filed by ousted quo warranto petition is null and void as Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno seek- it was rendered in violation of her right ing to to reverse its May 11 decision to to due process. grant the quo warranto petition which “The independence of the judiciary nullified her appointment as chief mag- turns on this Court’s adherence to this istrate. rule. The proverbial path to perdition SC spokesman Theodore Te an- which the majority of this Court has taknounced the directive after the resump- en that is paved mainly with the intention of the SC en banc from its month- tion of removing the Chief Justice by any long recess. means, can lead only to the destruction “In the matter of G.R. No. 237428 (Re- of judicial independence and the separapublic of the Philippines represented by tion of powers,” read the 205-page moSolicitor General Jose Calida v. Maria tion for reconsideration last May 30.

Lourdes P.A. Sereno) the Court directed “That is a consequence, unintended as the Solicitor General comment on re- it may be, that the Respondent earnestly spondent’s ad cautelam motion for re- asks this Court to veer away from,” she consideration within a non-extendible added. period of five days from notice,” Te said Sereno said the six magistrates in the as he read the Court resolution. majority should recuse from the case.

After the submission of the OSG’s Associate Justices Teresita Leonardocomment, the Court is expected to rule De Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Francis on Sereno’s motion for reconsidera- Jardeleza, Noel Tijam, Lucas Bersamin tion also within this and Samuel Marmonth, upon the retires should have not turn of its ponente, joined in the delibAssociate Justice eration of the quo Noel Tijam who is Judicial warranto petition for currently on leave. independence showing bias against Meanwhile, lawyer requires her, Sereno said.

Jojo Lacanilao, one of respect for the “This is essentially Sereno’s spokesperimpeachment a plea to the Honorsons, said that they process able Court to do what are encouraged that to ensure is right and just. And the justices have givindependence the right and just en themselves more even of justices thing to do, as dictime to appreciate from each tated by the responthe new arguments, other. dent’s fundamental facts and matters right to due process that make the reconis to disqualify the six sideration of the May Honorable Justices, 11 decision compelling. who had lost the impartiality to hear and “Unless reconsidered, that Decision decide this case,” Sereno said. will wreak havoc on the basic premise She said the disqualification of the of judicial decisions, which is fair play in six magistrates is mandatory on the an impartial tribunal, consistency with ground of actual bias based on their projudicial precedents and as important, nouncements made against her before the preservation of the constitutional the House of Representatives during its checks and balance,” Lacanilao said in a hearing on the impeachment complaint statement. filed by lawyer Larry Gadon.

He said the constitutional design reSereno said an impartial tribunal is an quires respect for the Senate’s exclusive “indispensable prerequisite of due propower to remove impeachable officials cess,” reiterating that a Chief Justice can and for the stability of the tenure of pub- only be removed via impeachment prolic officials by the ban on quo warranto ceedings as stated in the Constitution. after one year has set in.

Voting 8-6, the SC granted the quo “Judicial independence requires re- warranto petition to remove Sereno spect for the impeachment process to from office on the basis of a supposedly ensure independence even of justices invalid appointment in 2012. from each other. Accusers, especially In its decision, the SC majority ruled if there is rivalry for a post, cannot be that Sereno’s failure to submit her

Supreme Court of the Philippines

PNA

Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) as law professor at the University of the Philippines would mean “her integrity was not established at the time of her application,” making her ineligible to hold her position.

However, Sereno said the majority violated her constitutional right to due process when it ignored evidence that she had filed her UP SALNs. Apart from Sereno’s ouster, the SC also issued a show cause order requiring

her to explain why she should not be penalized for supposedly violating Code of Professional Responsibility and Code of Judicial Conduct “for transgressing the sub juice rule and for casting aspersions and ill motives to the members of the Supreme Court.”

Last May 25, lawyer Josalee Deinla, another spokesperson of Sereno, said they had asked the SC to give them 15 more days, or until June 9, to respond to the show causeorder. ■

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JUNE 8, 2018

FRIDAY

DOJ takes over estafa raps vs. Okada

BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD CALIWAN Philippine News Agency

Publisher Philippine Canadian Inquirer, Inc. Correspondents Katherine Padilla Joanna Belle Z. Deala RO-Angelica T. Equio Bea Kirstein T. Manalaysay Socorro Newland Bolet Arevalo Administration Head Victoria Yong Graphic Designer Shanice Garcia Photographers Vic Vargas For photo submissions, please email editor@canadianinquirer.net For General Inquiries, please email info@canadianinquirer.net For Sales Inquiries, please email sales@canadianinquirer.net Philippine Canadian Inquirer is located at 11951 Hammersmith Way, Suite 108 Richmond, B.C. V7A 5H9 Canada

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MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is taking jurisdiction over the USD10-million estafa cases filed by Okada Manila hotel operator, Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment, Inc. (TRLEI), against Japanese gaming tycoon Kazuo Okada.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra disclosed on Tuesday that he has also tasked the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the leak of the resolutions of Parañaque City Prosecutor Amerhassan Paudac on the cases, through the social media accounts of Okada’s South Korean girlfriend, Chloe Kim, even before it was officially released to the parties.

“We have requested the NBI to investigate the leak. I understand that Prosecutor Paudac has inhibited himself. So DOJ will handle any further motions or incidents in the Okada cases,” Guevarra said in a text message sent to reporters.

Last June 1, Tiger Resorts filed a seven-page manifestation and motion asking the DOJ to investigate Paudac for violating the rules and procedures, and the Code of Conduct for Prosecutors in handling cases before his office.

Guevarra said he did not see such motion, but any further incident will be handled and resolved by the DOJ. TRLEI has accused Paudac of bias and partiality for supposedly leaking copies of his resolutions that dismissed the estafa cases against Okada, the dispositive portions of which, landed on the social media accounts of Kim. TRLEI is the owner and operator of the posh Okada Manila at the sprawling Entertainment City in Parañaque where Okada was its chief executive officer before he was expelled last year for embezzling more than USD10 million in company funds.

In a complaint, TRLEI asked Guevarra to stop Paudac from investigating the leak, which he himself ordered, fearing a whitewash of the probe, and for the jus-

Okada Manila.

OKADA

tice chief to assume jurisdiction over the case.

Paudac subsequently inhibited himself but did not deny that the resolutions had indeed been leaked, and proceeded to officially release them, saying that the resolutions are maintained.

And instead of completely turning over the records of the case to the DOJ and distancing from the case, Paudac formed a panel to look into the leakage and even requested the NBI to make a forensic examination of Kim’s social media accounts to determine if the posts “are fake or not, and how and from whom said account holder was able to obtain said photographs.”

“The formation of an investigating panel when he himself would be investigated is improper, self-serving and unjustified, and would only preempt the investigation that should be conducted by the DOJ,” Tiger Resort pointed out.

The company asked the justice chief to nullify Paudac’s investigation order and restrain the panel from conducting the probe of the leakage.

“It is the DOJ, not the panel formed by Paudac, that should properly investigate

the leakage of the resolutions that happened at the Parañaque prosecutor’s office,” it said.

TRLEI has sued Okada before the Parañaque Prosecutor’s Office over unauthorized disbursements of more than USD10 million of the company’s funds between early 2016 and June 2017.

Tiger Resort filed separate complaints for two counts of estafa against Okada before the Parañaque City Prosecutor’s Office and another charge of perjury before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office.

It accused Okada of illegal disbursement of company funds amounting to more than USD3 million, supposedly for his consultancy fees and salaries during his one-month tenure as CEO. Okada had faced criminal charges for violation of the Anti-Dummy Law before the DOJ, which was filed by the NBI during the previous administration.

However, the case was not resolved and has reportedly been remanded to the NBI for reinvestigation.

Aside from the charges filed in the Philippines, Okada is also facing a string of cases in South Korea, Hong Kong and Tokyo, Japan. ■

of its approval, launch and implementation,” he added.

Aside from Aquino, former Health Secretary Janette Garin and former Budget chief Florencio Abad, who were also named as respondents to the complaint, appeared before the DOJ panel of prosecutors and submitted their respective counter-affidavits to the criminal charges.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Rossane Baluag, chairman of the DOJ

panel, set the next hearing on June 22 for submission of reply by the VACC and VPCI to the counter-affidavits.

The multi-billion immunization program aimed to provide free vaccines to public school students in places with high incidences of Dengue. However, this project was called off last year following concerns over the risks posed by Dengvaxia to those who had not had the infection. ■

Aquino seeks... ❰❰ 6

anomaly in the vaccination program that his administration launched in 2016.

“The procurement process was aboveboard and within the timelines prescribed by R.A. 9184, as determined by the DOH [Department of Health] report,” Aquino explained.

“Finally, the dengue vaccine passed all required clinical trials, was found to be safe and effective and there were no reported adverse or ill-effects at the time

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Fox asks DOJ anew Malacañang counts on Tulfos’ to void BI leave order promise to return P60M

BY CHRISTOPHER LLOYD CALIWAN Philippine News Agency MANILA — The camp of Australian nun Sr. Patricia Fox on Tuesday filed a comment before the Department of Justice reiterating their appeal for the reversal of the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) decision ordering her to leave the country.

Fox appeared at the DOJ together with her legal counsels from the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), where she filed a 22-page reply on the BI’s comment on her petition for review filed last May 25.

In the said petition, Fox asked Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, to overturn the BI’s leave order on May 17 forfeiting her missionary visa due to allegations of violating the conditions of her stay and gave her a temporary visitor’s visa lasting only 30 days.

According to NUPL reiterated Fox position that “there is no factual basis for the downgrading of petitioner’s missionary visa into a temporary visitor’s visa.”

“The allegation that she violated the terms and conditions [of her visa] is misplaced and unfounded.”

“She was merely accused of participating in a ‘political activity’ which ‘political activity’ did not in any way endanger public order and safety or disturbed the peace of the community or the country and which activity is protected by the Constitutional guarantee on freedom of expression and assembly,” Fox said in her reply.

“The allegation that she violated the terms and conditions is misplaced and unfounded. In the case of the petitioner, there is no mention in the report of the intelligence agents of the BI and even in its assailed order that petitioner’s presence or activities disturbed the peace and order of the country,” she added.

Her lawyers admitted they agree with the BI’s position that a visa is a privilege and not a right given to foreigners.

However, the NUPL pointed out “once it is granted by the State, it cannot be revoked except on valid and lawful ground and upon observance of due

process of law, both substantive and procedural.”

“Be that as it may, the petitioner submits the view that while a visa given to a foreigner is a privilege that is subject to the discretion of the granting authority— an exercise of the plenary power granted to the State as regards to exclusion of foreigners—this does not come without limitations,” the lawyers said.

“To espouse otherwise, as what the BI is fervently pushing in its Comment, would run counter to the very nature of an organized society and would set a very dangerous precedent championing an unbridled exercise of State authority at the expense of basic human rights of the people,” they argued.

“These limitations apply not only to its power to deport foreigners but to all the other powers that the BI may exercise such as visa forfeiture or visa cancellation,” they added.

For her part, Fox said she is hopeful to give a consideration.

“All I can say I’m hopeful this will be given due consideration in the case. Still I’m hopeful,” Fox told reporters.

Earlier, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the DOJ “reserves the right to call such clarificatory hearings, as may be necessary, to arrive at a just resolution of this appeal.”

In its order, the BI dismissed Fox’s arguments that the bureau forfeited her visa without due process and that allegations that she engaged in political activities were not backed with solid evidence.

It reiterated that Fox acted beyond allowed activities under her visa by working outside Barangay Amihan in Quezon City, where she claimed she would render her missionary work when she applied for her visa.

The order likewise stressed that the strict rules on evidence do not apply to immigration cases, which are administrative proceedings requiring only the lowest quantum of evidence.

On April 16, Fox was apprehended by BI operatives pursuant to a mission order issued by Commissioner Jaime Morente for violating the conditions of her stay in the country by engaging in political activities and antigovernment demonstrations. ■

BY BEA KIRSTEIN T. MANALAYSAY Philippine Canadian Inquirer AFTER DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat confirmed that the Tulfo brothers, Ben and Erwin have yet to return the P60 million that the department paid for the advertisements of their show, the Palace chose to count on their promise.

“Well, nasa Tulfos na ho iyan kasi sila naman iyong boluntaryong nagsabing isasauli nila.

So we’re counting on their word of na kung ibabalik nila at sinabi nila eh talagang ibabalik nila (Well it is up to the Tulfos since they are the ones who volunteered to return the money. So we’re counting on their word when they said that they will return it, then they will return it),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. in a press briefing on May 31, Thursday.

He added that through Ombudsman Conchita Morales, the brothers’ contract with PTV-4 will be investigated.

Earlier this May, former Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo’s legal counsel said that the brothers will return

www.canadianinquirer.net

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.

the money.

“Bagama’t wala po sa kaniya (Erwin Tulfo) ‘yung P60 million at nagastos na po, gagawa po sila ng paraan at i-o-offer nila na ibalik na po up to the last centavo kung anuman po ang naibayad sa kanila (Although Erwin Tulfo no longer has the money because it was already spent, they will find a way and offer to return down to the last centavo whatever amount was paid to them),” lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said in an interview with dzMM. Ramon “Mon” Tulfo, the eldest of the Tulfo brothers in a column on May 10, called Topacio an “all talk” who does not care about his client.

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“When Topacio said the Tulfo brothers, in a family meeting, had decided to return the P60 million, the guy was talking for himself. I was never consulted. Nor were Ben, Erwin, or Raffy. And why would I return the money that I never got in the first place?

That’s what Erwin and Raffy are also asking,” he wrote.

The mentioned lawyer hit back on the eldest Tulfo, calling him “ulyanin (forgetful).”

Teo resigned from her Tourism chief post and her husband Roberto from his Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) position in the middle of the controversy. ■

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Philippine News

Duterte’s ‘kiss...’ ❰❰ 1

women. him for doing this act.” “‘Wag lalaki, may People were divided though bayad ‘to, halik (Not as some still cheered for the men, there is a payment for this President, saying it a non-ma[book], a kiss),” he said, refer- licious action which was aimed ring to the “Altar of Secrets: to make the crowd happy. Some Sex, Politics, and Money in the also mentioned that kissing is Philippine Catholic Church” not an issue in other countries. book written by journalist Ar“In other developed counies Rufo. tries, sometimes people kiss on The President then called the lips as a sign of greeting a on two women to join him on friend,” Bert Dellosa commentstage, in which the said Fili- ed on Facebook. pinas grabbed his hand for a Aina Manliguez also defendmano or an honorary gesture ed that, “I would kiss him too. I by placing an elderly’s hand on don’t think magagalit ang asaone’s forehead as a sign of re- wa ko (my husband would be spect. Duterte, mad) as we have however, asked lots of respect sa one of the wom(in our) Presien a beso-beso dent natin.” (cheek-to-cheek “Bina-bash kiss) but asked We just na naman ‘yung the next one for kissed presidente ng Pila kiss on the lips. for the ipinas. Mukhang Duterte was audience. ginusto naman heard asking the It has no nung babae (The Filipina if she meaning, President of the was married and promise.

Philippines is becalled the act as ing bashed again. a joke, then proBut it looked ceeded on kisslike the woman ing her on the wanted it [the lips which drew cheers from the kiss]),” said Hazel Kate Chan. crowd.

The OFW that Duterte kissed In social media, however, the said in an interview with Pinoy gimmick drew flak from the ne- Seoul, that there was no malice tizens. in the kiss.

Lyza Tan, a Facebook user “Si President Duterte ang commented, “Clearly, the girl nagsabi at tinanong niya ako was ‘game’ but that is not the kung single pa ba ako o married. point that we want to make. Sinabi ko married po ako sa KoHow very unpresidential.” reano at meron akong dalawang Qam Leigh also said, “What’s anak. Ginawa lang namin ‘yung wrong with these people? kiss pampakilig ng audience.

Pinagkakatuwaan pa (They are Walang ibig sabihin ‘yun, promeven laughing about it).” ise. Sa akin at sa kanya, walang @repugnant on Twitter said, ibig sabihin ‘yun (President “Imagine being Duterte’s wife Duterte asked me if I was single and just see him kiss another or married. I said that I was woman in the lips.” married to a Korean and have DaphSoriano also lashed two kids. We just kissed for the out on Twitter, saying “I don’t audience. It has no meaning, know what disgusts me more – promise. To me or to him, there the fact that Duterte, the Presi- is no meaning),” she said. dent of the Philippines, kissed As of writing, the Palace or a woman who is not his wife or Duterte has yet to react or dethe fact that the people in this fend the act. ■ event cheered and applauded

JUNE 8, 2018

FRIDAY

TRAIN is needed to run country: Duterte

BY JELLY MUSICO Philippine News Agency MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte has emphasized the need to implement the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law to raise more funds to run the country.

“We have, all the while, (been) having problems, inflation is always there. There are many reasons, but also actually one of them is the TRAIN. But I need money to run the country,” Duterte said in his speech during Wednesday night’s Presidential Security Group (PSG) Change of Command ceremony at Malacañang Park.

Some lawmakers call for suspension of the additional excise tax brought by TRAIN law implementation while others suggest postponing implementation of the entire law amid rising inflation rate.

“If you do not give it, fine,” the President said.

For some skeptics, Duterte reassured them that he would never allow anyone to use taxpayers’ money in illicit activities and personal interest.

“Congress was quite skeptic that it will just end up in corruption. That’s why I said, if that is how you think of us, me, then forget it,” Duterte said.

“I will look for other ways of doing it, maybe longer. But if they said I will steal, then I don’t need that. What I can say, no transaction of government ever reaches me,” he added.

Despite the limited resources of government, Duterte expressed optimism that his administration would be able to bring modest improvement to the Filipinos’ lives.

“We will maybe reach a modest improvement. I do not see any fantastic happening but

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President Rodrigo Duterte.

with the limited resources of our country, many were helping. I said a modest improvement of what we have now would be okay,” Duterte said.

TRAIN is the first package of the comprehensive tax reform program envisioned by Duterte’s administration to correct a number of deficiencies in the tax system to make it simpler, fairer, and more efficient.

According to the Department of Finance (DOF), TRAIN pushed up inflation by only 0.4 percentage point, lower than its projected 0.7 percentage point.

Other factors, such as the rise in global oil prices and the better collection of cigarette excise taxes drove inflation to 4.5 percent in April this year.

As a result of TRAIN, disposable income rose about 15 per-

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cent on average for wage-earners as income tax rates were reduced, it added.

DOF Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has warned that suspending TRAIN law would derail the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program which is meant to sustain the economy’s high-growth momentum.

He said suspension would possibly even imperil the free tuition program in state universities and colleges; salary hike for police and military personnel; and conditional cash transfer program. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 8, 2018

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COA report on excessive honoraria, allowances baseless: OSG PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY MANILA — The Office of the Solicitor General said Friday there is no basis for the Commission on Audit (COA) 2017 report that found Solicitor General Jose Calida and 15 other OSG lawyers as having received “excessive allowances and honoraria.”

The 2017 COA audit of the OSG noted that its lawyers were allegedly paid PHP10.77 million in honoraria and allowances for services rendered to their client government agencies.

In a statement from the agency’s spokesperson, Hector Calilung, the OSG said COA relied upon a circular that limits an OSG lawyer to receiving honoraria and allowances amounting to 50 percent of his or her salary.

“But this circular — No. 8525-E — cannot prevail over laws, such as Republic Act (RA) No. 9417, or the law strengthening the OSG, which states OSG lawyers may receive honoraria and allowances without a cap to the amount,” the statement reads.

“There is therefore no basis for the reported COA finding of alleged payment of ‘excessive honoraria and allowances’.

This issue is not new. It has been ongoing for the past five

years since the time of Solicitor General Florin Hilbay,” it added.

The OSG maintained that it has consistently acted within the confines set by law, noting that the honoraria and allowances were paid in accordance with the law, citing Section 1(i) of Presidential Decree No. 478 (Defining the Powers and Functions of the Office of the Solicitor General) and Section 35(9), Chapter 12, Title III, Book IV of Executive Order No. 292 (Administrative Code).

“These provisions authorize the OSG lawyers to receive allowances and honoraria for the legal services they render without qualification as to the number of agreements with client agencies, and without limitation/cap as to the amount.

The authority of these agencies to pay OSG lawyers honoraria and allowances for services rendered is restated in Section 8 of RA No. 9417 (An Act to Strengthen the Office of the Solicitor General),” the OSG said.

COA, however, said these allowances were not taxed properly, “thus, the benefits received were not properly monitored for taxation purposes.”

The commission recommended that the OSG should refund the excess amount and deposit it in its trust fund.

Calida, who earns PHP1.827 million annually, was reported to have received PHP8.376 mil-

lion in honoraria and allowances last year. Given his salary, he was only provided under the circular a maximum allowable allowance of PHP913,950.

State auditors had flagged Calida over the same issue in 2016.

The computation was based on RA 9417 or the OSG law that allows officials of the office to receive honoraria and allowances but a COA circular limits the allowances to just 50 percent of their respective basic annual salary.

“Laws, rules and regulations need to be harmonized in their implementation. While RA No. 9417 granted authority to OSG lawyers to receive honorarium, COA Circular No. 85-25-E puts limitation in the receipt thereof,” the COA report reads.

The OSG, however, said that it is a settled rule that an administrative circular cannot amend or repeal a provision of law.

“Moreover, COA Circular No. 85-25-E was issued on April 25, 1985. RA No. 9417, which does not limit the authority of the agencies to pay OSG lawyers for their services, was passed on March 30, 2007,” it stated.

“The client agencies of the OSG executed contracts for the payment of OSG allowances.

COA certainly cannot render these contracts ineffective by a mere administrative circular.

To allow COA Circular No. 8525-E to prevail would violate

Solicitor General Jose Calida.

the constitutional prohibition against impairment of contracts,” it added.

On the COA observation that 39 units of network switch cabinets were procured for PHP18 million and delivered on Feb. 10, 2017, the OSG said these remain non-utilized.

The OSG Case Management Service had already prepared for the installation of these units prior to delivery but due to various factors, including space constraints and the insufficient number of personnel, the OSG said it was constrained to temporarily suspend the installation in some legal divisions and the full installation of the cabinets is expected to be

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completed this month.

Meanwhile, on the COA observation on excessive claims for local and foreign travel allowances amounting to PHP53,796 and PHP78,096.64, respectively, the OSG said these amounts are un-utilized cash advances for travel expenses issued to its officers and employees in 2017, and had already been refunded upon liquidation within the first quarter of 2018.

“We must also remember that the OSG, in its capacitybuilding seminars abroad, was granted exemption from Administrative Order 103 series of 2004 in an Office of the President Memorandum dated 16 January 2017,” the OSG said. ■

Security analyst says diplomatic actions should be publicized

BY BEA KIRSTEIN T. MANALAYSAY Philippine Canadian Inquirer WHILE DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano maintained that not all diplomatic actions have to be publicized, a security analyst negated this for the sake of addressing public concerns.

“Mainam na isapubliko ‘yan para naman makumbinsi ‘yung mamamayang Pilipino, para mapakita na merong ginagawang diplomatic actions ang ating pamahalaan at doon

lang talaga ‘yung pwede nating gawin (It is better to publicize these to convince the Filipinos and to ensure them that our government is conducting diplomatic actions and that these are the only things we can do right now),” University Professor Rommel Banlaoi said in an interview with GMA News on May 31, Thursday.

Banlaoi, who also chairs the Board of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research and leads the Center for Intelligence and National Security Studies, however, understood some reasons that Cayetano cited on

Wednesday “May mga bagay na ‘di muna kailangang isapubliko, lalo na kung kasalukuyang nine-negotiate. Pero ‘yung mga sa tingin nilang makakapagkalma sa pagdududa ng mamamayang Pilipino ay dapat maisapubliko ‘yan (There are things that should not be released to the public especially when it is still being negotiated. But those details which they think will calm the doubt of the Filipino citizens should be publicized),” he further explained.

The security expert’s comment came after Magdalo party-list Representative Gary www.canadianinquirer.net

Alejano slammed Cayetano over the developments in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) with China.

During the briefing by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday, Alejano raised his point that knowing the country’s moves and assertion on its sovereignty over its owned islands in the WPS. The Foreign Affairs Secretary said that not all moves were released to the media for the public, but assured that the administration is doing its part.

“We have been filing a diplomatic protest. But the critics want us to announce it loudly

and to confront China each and every time to the media. That is not conducive through the ongoing talks,” he said.

“Several dozens. Maybe 50, 100. I have to count it over the past two years,” Cayetano added.

He also emphasized that diplomatic actions take time and planning, but with the media reporting the developments in the process of planning, conflict occurs when it comes to the timing of the actions.

Critics have been slamming the government for supposedly “losing control” over its islands by allowing China’s militarization. ■

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Philippine News

JUNE 8, 2018

FRIDAY

#YouthWorksPH: Empowering OSYs thru work-based training

BY MA. TERESA MONTEMAYOR Philippine News Agency MANILA — The Philippines is deemed as a young nation with vast potentials by other countries because half of its population consists of young people under 30 years old.

Needless to say, such young human resources are creating more challenges than opportunities for the country.

According to Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) Chairman Ramon del Rosario, one of the many reasons for this is the high unemployment rate among young people, which can be corrected through an educational system that is aligned with employment.

Armed with this vision, PBEd, together with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), launched YouthWorksPH, a work development program that aims to help the youth gain work experience and be empowered to drive democracy, economic growth and transformation of the country.

The program

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), PBEd Executive Director Love Basillote said YouthWorks is a five-year training program,

where industries commit to create at least 1,000 work-based training positions per year for out-of-school youth (OSY).

Basillote explained that the program is open to OSYs who are not employed, between 18 and 24 years of old and those who have completed Grade 10.

“It doesn’t matter if they’ve graduated from a public or private school. We will recruit trainees recommended by partner non-government organizations and relevant government agencies. But the partner companies will decide on how many trainees they’re willing to host,” she said.

The year-long training will be divided into two parts: the first month is allotted for intensive life skills training and the remaining 11 months will be spent in the companies and schools the OSYs will be deployed in, trained and monitored.

“Say, for example, in the construction industry, for a month they’ll be given life skills training. The next month, 80 percent of it will be spent at the construction site and then the 20 percent in the school where they’re enrolled. It’s like a blending of two worlds where you work and learn relevant skills at the same time to make you employable in the future,” she said.

The trainees will not be graded but they will be evaluated for certification.

Basillote explained that through evaluation, the partner companies and schools will decide if the students are fit for the industry or not.

The partner companies are “encouraged but not obliged to absorb the trainees.”

“Even if they aren’t absorbed by the host company, it is a winwin situation for the trainees because they will have a certification and the opportunity to earn while being trained,” she said.

“Each trainee will receive up to PHP7,500 monthly allowance to be determined regionally. They’re free to use it however they want because they’ve worked for it since it is a workbased training. It’s money they have earned from working and learning at the same time,” she added.

To keep the trainees from dropping out after receiving their monthly allowances for a few months, Basillote told PNA that they have included values formation programs in the life skills training during the first month of the program, in a bid to engage trainees in becoming a partner for change for the country and “not just think of earning money.”

The project is currently in the planning stage and is set to be rolled out on the third or fourth quarter this year in seven major areas nationwide — Cagayan de

USAID and OnePBEd launch YouthWorks PH.

Oro, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, General Santos, National Capital Region, and Zamboanga.

PBEd said it has yet to draft its final list of partner schools but APEC schools are on the top of its record.

“The project is five years.

Hopefully, if we do a good job, this is just the beginning. We’re just modeling and demonstrating what can be done. The timeframe is partly because of the fund but we want to see first if the model really works since it’s a pilot project,” she said.

Curbing unemployment

Del Rosario said many companies in the country still have difficulty finding qualified human resources despite the fact that more than 2.3 million Filipinos are currently unemployed.

Meanwhile, US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Klecheski noted that

USAID PHILIPPINES

youth unemployment rate remains very high despite the country’s impressive economic growth.

“Many graduates report difficulty in finding jobs because their education doesn’t match the employer’s needs and many young people don’t have a life mentor who will help them gain confidence,” he said.

Considering such scenario, Klecheski and del Rosario have come up with YouthWorks PH to engage the government and private sectors in delivering “education that can deliver shared prosperity.”

“YouthWorks PH commits to equip the Filipino youth with appropriate skills in communication, critical thinking and decision-making skills so they can strengthen their lives and their communities and contribute to the economic growth and development of the Philippines.”

Klecheski said. ■

Alejano to run for senator in 2019

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer MAGDALO PARTY-LIST Representative Gary Alejano on Tuesday, June 5, confirmed that he accepted the nomination of his party to run for a Senate seat in the 2019 midterm elections.

“I have accepted the nomination of the Magdalo Group to run as Senator on the incoming 2019 elections,” Alejano said in a statement.

The Magdalo lawmaker said

the Philippines needs more independent-minded senators “to speak for the people, stand up for our democracy, and defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity” because “most seem to be silent and indifferent to the abuses of the Duterte administration and its apparent subservience to China.”

Alejano, who has been vocal against the government’s soft stance on the South China Sea dispute, earlier said that the Philippines “effectively” lost control over Sandy Cay in the West Philippine Sea

(WPS) under President Rodrigo Duterte’s term. He even urged Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to resign from his post for his “inaction against Chinese incursions and illegal actions” in the WPS. In his statement, the opposition lawmaker said that he was grateful for the trust and confidence of his colleagues in Magdalo, particularly Senator Antonio Trillanes IV for the nomination.

“I humbly submit to the direction and wisdom of the group as we have always dewww.canadianinquirer.net

cided collectively on important issues affecting our country,” he said.

“The fight for good governance and a corrupt-free nation that Magdalo started in 2003 is a lifelong commitment that I will carry on this new endeavor,” he added.

Trillanes previously announced that Magdalo group is urging Alejano, who was a former soldier, to run for Senator in 2019 as they believe that the latter is “very much qualified” for the post.

“Siyempre naniniwala kami

na (Of course we believe that) he is very much qualified to do so, may paninindigan at(has principles and he is a) war hero ’yan. His heart is in the right place,” Trillanes said.

“Kaya natin tinutulak si Congressman Alejano sa pagtakbo sa senador itong 2019 ay para may titindig pa rin laban sa mga pang-aabuso nito Duterte (The reason why we are pushing Congressman Alejano to run for Senator in 2019 is because there will be someone who will stand against the abuses of Duterte),” he added. ■

Philippine News

FRIDAY JUNE 8, 2018

13

PH assures ‘totally’ corruption- PH, China to free projects funded by SoKor explore more areas

BY JELLY MUSICO Philippine News Agency MANILA – The country’s chief finance official has assured that the flagship projects under the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program to be funded by South Korea will be “totally” corruption-free.

Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez made this commitment as South Korea offered to double its overseas development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines from USD500 million to USD1 billion.

“It is the Korean people’s money that the government is allocating to us. So it’s our duty Finance Secretary Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez.

PCOO to make sure that those funds are totally corruption-free ipino people,” Dominguez said. of investments that Duterte got when they are used,” DominDominguez said USD172.64 from his three-day official visit guez said in a media briefing in million of the USD1 billion ODA from South Korea.

Seoul, South Korea. from South Korea will be used Duterte’s first trip to South “What we are doing is, we are for the New Cebu International Korea has resulted in the signmonitoring this project very Container Port Project. ing of four other governmentcarefully, we are getting COA On the other hand, other to-government (G2G) agree(Commission Audit) involved projects to be funded under Ko- ments. These are: in the audit of these projects,” rea’s ODA include the USD501. Memorandum of Underhe assured. million project preparation standing on Scientific and Dominguez said no less than facility for the National Irriga- Technological Cooperation bePresident Rodrigo Duterte is tion Administration (NIA), a tween the Department of Scithe country’s top graft-buster, USD100-million financing for ence and Technology (DOST) firing government officials in- the new Dumaguete airport of the Philippines and the Mincluding his own appointees development project, and a istry of Science and ICT of the who are linked to corruption.

USD41-million project for the Republic of Korea; “So in this way, we feel that implementation of an electron2. Memorandum of Underthe government employees as ic receipt system for the moni- standing between the Departwell as the private sector will be toring of taxes paid by Philip- ment of Trade and Industry very careful in the use of gov- pine retailers.

(DTI) of the Philippines and ernment funds the Ministry of and funds from Trade, Industry the taxpayers of and Energy (MOother countries,” TIE) on Trade Dominguez said.

So it’s our duty to make sure that and Economic In his “exthose funds are totally corruptionCooperation; tremely” profree when they are used.

3. Memoranductive meetdum of Undering with South standing for CoKorea’s Deputy operation on the Prime MinisExpansion of Reter and Minister of Strategy He said the government plans newable Energy Deployment and Finance Kim Dong-Yeon, to use the remaining USD636- between the Department of Dominguez personally assured million balance to fund two to National Defense (DND) of the the Korean official that all proj- three more flagship projects Philippines and the Ministry ects will be scrutinized to avoid under the “Build, Build, Build” of Trade, Industry and Energy waste of funds. program.

(MOTIE) of Korea; and, “I assured Deputy Prime Dominguez said 35 of the 75 4. Memorandum of UnderMinister Kim our strict moni- flagship projects proposed under standing between the Departtoring of these projects to make “Build, Build, Build” program ment of Transportation (DOTr) sure that none of the Korean have already been approved by of the Philippines and the Mintaxpayers’ money is wasted the National Economic Develop- istry of Land, Infrastructure in corruption and that all the ment Authority (NEDA). and Transport (MOLIT) of KoODA-supported projects will The USD1-billion ODA was rea Concerning Cooperation in bring lasting benefits to the Fil- part of the USD4.9 billion worth the Field of Transport. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

of cooperation during BCM: DFA PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY MANILA — Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday said the Philippines and China are keen on exploring expanded areas of cooperation during the next bilateral consultative meeting (BCM) in the coming months.

While Beijing and Manila try to resolve contentious issues, including the West Philippine Sea dispute, Cayetano said both states aim to bolster cooperation.

“We’re geographically distant. To be fair to the past administration, we are far from each other, that’s why there are so many low-lying fruits.

Had we been working together in the past, the way forward would’ve been enhancing an already built partnership.” he said in Filipino.

Through BCM, Cayetano believes the two nations will discover new areas of partnership, citing an instance when China offered aid during the Marawi conflict.

“When the Marawi siege happened, I talked to the Chinese, ‘Can you guarantee to our President that nothing will happen there while our military is in Marawi?’ They said, ‘Yes. How else can we help?’ I said we need weapons, and they delivered weapons to us. It’s not an act of an enemy,” Cayetano said, but was quick to clear that this does not mean Manila is setting aside the existing West Philippine Sea dispute.

“We’re not saying that this is in exchange of the (WPS) dispute. But it’s different when it’s an enemy, it’s different when you have a dispute. Some of us have disputes with our neighbors, some of us have disputes with our business partners, some of us have disputes with our family. But it’s a different dispute when all of us are angry at each other, and it’s a different (issue) when we talk to solve things. And that’s what we

want, to hold talks, because it’s producing results,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Earlier, Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta Romana told the Philippine News Agency that the ties linking the two states are knotted on trade, tourism, investment, military, cultural and scientific.

Now, the two countries are working out on the implementing guidelines for the employment of 2,000 Filipino English teachers to China before September, he said.

There are also ongoing negotiations for a possible labor cooperation agreement to facilitate the employment of Filipino household service workers to China, setting up of industrial parks for Chinese investors to the Philippines, the possible involvement of a Chinese firm as the third Philippine telecommunications player, and cooperative projects in science & technology, he added.

Sta Romana said the BCM is expected in August or September.

A year at most

The envoy also noted that the BCM will feature a progress report on the results of a panel study on oil and gas cooperation in the South China Sea. In a press conference at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Cayetano expressed optimism that this will push through.

Once both sides agree on terms of exploration and once the area involved is found out to be commercially viable, he said the actual oil and gas cooperation will follow.

“Right after the exploration, if we find it commercially viable, the process would be fast. Let’s say from the time we agreed how the exploration will go, it will take three to four months, longest six months.

After six months, you would already have a result, that’s the longest. Possibly, early next year,” he said. ■

Philippine News

14

JUNE 8, 2018

FRIDAY

ASEAN, China to hold talks on South China Sea code in August PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones.

DEPED PHILIPPINES

K-12 program to improve quality of education: Briones

BY MA. TERESA MONTEMAYOR Philippine News Agency MANILA — Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones has reiterated that the main objective of the K to 12 program is to improve the quality of education in the country and “not solely to provide immediate jobs for its graduates.”

This, after some reports said “the program is a failure” because most senior high school (SHS) graduates did not land jobs after graduation due to skills-job mismatch.

“It is because your assumption is every single senior high school student will have a job which is not correct because 61 percent or 700,000 to 800,000 of our graduates plan to continue on to college,” Briones said in a press briefing Monday in Quezon City High School.

Briones said that 28 percent of the graduates belonging to technical vocational strand were hired immediately due to the “work immersion or on the

job training” requirement in SHS. “They have a certification from TESDA. Many of them passed the exam of TESDA kaya makakatrabaho na sila.

Yung iba kapag tinanong mo bakit sila nagtatrabaho, para maka night class sila ulit, para makapag-aral sila ulit (so they can work. If you ask them why they’re working, they’ll say so they can do night class, so they can study again),” she said.

TESDA, which stands for Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, is the government agency tasked to manage and supervise technical education and skills development in the Philippines.

With the K to 12 program, Briones said students are given better options and opportunities to improve their education and quality of life.

“To those who will go to college, the chances are all up to their hard work since tuition is already free in state colleges and local universities,” she said.

In an earlier interview with Philippine News Agency (PNA), Assistant Secretary Nepomu-

ceno Malaluan said the K to 12 program, in its third year of implementation, is already in a good position in terms of the required infrastructures, materials and teacher training.

Malaluan said that a recent survey showed that SHS education has decreased the percentage of dropouts among high school students.

“Before less than 50 percent of fourth year high school graduates go to college, now 93 percent of the SHS graduates will continue to college, this shows strong support from learners,” he said.

With regard to program implementation, Malaluan said DepEd needs to strengthen its collaboration with the community and private sector to improve on the alignment of education with the companies’ employment requirements.

In April, some 1.252 million learners graduated from SHS. For the school year 2018 to 2019, DepEd welcomed some 2.813 million grade 11 and grade 12 learners based on their projected data. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

ment and how do we implement (it),” Cayetano said.

Last year, the ASEAN regional bloc and China adopted MANILA — The leaders of the the COC framework under the Association of Southeast Asian Philippines’ chairmanship, Nations (ASEAN) and China where both parties welcomed are set to convene negotiations the adoption as a sign of progfor the crafting of the code of ress after 15 years since the conduct (COC) on the South 2002 DOC was signed.

China Sea in August, Foreign China, Taiwan and some Affairs Secretary Alan Peter ASEAN member states includCayetano announced Friday. ing the Philippines, Malaysia, Cayetano, Brunei, and Viethowever, admitnam have overted that all parlapping territoties are still facrial claims in the ing challenges South China Sea. on the substance We intend During the of the COC, but to push it to ASEAN Foreign assured that the get as far as Minister’s RePhilippines is we can, as treat in Februkeen on pushing fast as we ary 2018, Singafor a substantial can. pore’s Foreign document.

Minister Vivian “We only have Balakrishnan adthe framework mitted that the as of now, but COC negotiathis August, tion will be “very there will be a meeting of the complicated” and will require Ministers. This time around, all parties to “ultimately exerlike what we had last year, it cise political will” to resolve won’t be just the ASEAN but sensitive issues, adding that also our dialogue partners, our territorial claims will not be restrategic partners, they’re all solved with the COC alone. included,” he said in Filipino.

For his part, Cayetano said he “We intend to push it to get as is confident that Singapore, as far as we can, as fast as we can,” the current ASEAN chair, will he added, adding that the Phil- steer a fruitful COC negotiaippines expects no less than an tion. “effective COC.” “As I’ve said, Singapore is the “We want an effective COC, perfect country to lead us now. something that we can rely on (It) is a perfect country to nebecause the DOC (Declaration gotiate all of this because they of Conduct), a lot has happened are open-minded and they have (to) it, so we want the COC this mindset of no nonsense, clear. For example on the en- get things done,” he said. ■ vironment, how do we protect (it), what will be the arrange-

15

Canada News Trans Mountain protests continue, environment minister says it’s time to move on

BY GEMMA KARSTENSSMITH The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — As opponents of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion protested across the country Monday, Canada’s environment minister said the project needs to move forward.

Protesters gathered outside the offices of Liberal MPs calling for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to pull its support for the controversial pipeline.

The rallies follow Ottawa’s announcement last week that it will spend $4.5 billion to buy the pipeline and ensure the expansion project is completed.

“The crazy buyout of this pipeline project has actually united people from the left and the right,” said Peter McCartney, a climate campaigner for the Wilderness Committee, who led the rally outside Justice Minister Jody WilsonRaybould’s office in Vancouver.

Jolan Bailey, a campaigner with advocacy group LeadNow, said more than 100 events were

held in cities across the country, including Calgary, Regina, Toronto and Halifax.

A rally in Environment Minister Catherine McKenna’s riding of Ottawa-Centre drew more than 100 people, Bailey said.

“There are a lot of people that are frustrated with a government that campaigned on making climate action a priority, but now has not only approved a pipeline ... but (Trudeau) is actually using our taxpayer dollars now to pay for the project,” he said.

Outside the House of Commons on Monday, McKenna reiterated her government’s support for the pipeline expansion and said it’s time to move on.

“A decision was made, as I say, by the federal government over a year ago. Also by the former government of British Columbia. We need to provide certainty to investors and we also need to bring people together,” she said.

“The environment and the economy go together and this project will go ahead.”

In Vancouver, about 100 peo-

A rally led by Wilderness Committee outside Justice Minister Wilson-Raybould's office.

WILDERNESS COMMITTEE

ple attended the protest, holding signs saying “No consent, no pipeline” and “Not justifiable” and chanting “Keep it in the ground.”

Sarah Green joined the chanting while holding her oneyear-old son.

“I just think it’s important to show that people of B.C. don’t want this pipeline,” she said.

“And we especially don’t want to be paying for it. I think we

made it really clear.”

Green’s father, Bill Bargemen, said he came to the rally because he’s concerned about the impact the pipeline could have on his grandson’s future.

“This little guy may well live into the next century and I’m really terrified about what that’s going to look like if we don’t come to grips with climate change,” Bargemen said.

Opponents are attacking the

project on a number of fronts and that will continue until the project is shelved, Bargemen said.

“It’s going to be done in the courts, it’s going to be done in the streets, it’s going to be done at the ballot boxes, it’s going to be done when people are willing to go to jail and they’re doing that,” he said. “This is the line in the sand. We have to take this stand now.”

Dozens of people have been arrested outside Kinder Morgan’s facilities in Burnaby, B.C., in recent months, including Green Party Leader Elizabeth May and New Democrat MP Kennedy Stewart, who both pleaded guilty to breaking a court injunction barring protests near Trans Mountain worksites.

In Parliament on Monday, opposition members attacked the Liberal government over news that two executives for Kinder Morgan will each be given $1.5-million retention bonuses to ensure they stay on as the Trans Mountain pipeline system is sold to the federal government. ■

Some victims of ski coach Bertrand Charest speak of robbed childhoods

BY SIDHARTHA BANERJEE The Canadian Press MONTREAL — Four of the women sexually assaulted and abused by disgraced national ski coach Bertrand Charest spoke publicly Monday about what they endured, saying they are determined to ensure their stories ignite a movement to combat abuse in sports.

One by one, Genevieve Simard, Gail Kelly, AmelieFrederique Gagnon and Anna Prchal spoke openly of dreams snuffed out, childhoods lost and a system that turned its back on them instead of protecting them.

From their nightmarish experiences though, they hope to make certain that other young athletes don’t ever have to suffer the same pain.

“I have spent the last 26 years working very hard to forget a time that really should have been filled with dreams and personal growth,” said Gagnon, who was among Charest’s earliest victims.

“The only way I can justify to relive my abusive past is to provide a platform for others that will give them additional protections and safeguards.”

Gagnon, now a 41-year-old married mother of two, has fought a lack of self-confidence, anorexia and even thoughts of

suicide.

The extra protection she is advocating for is something that wasn’t afforded to her or the other athletes who were abused, Gagnon said.

Finding strength in one another, the women are seeking several changes by 2020, including: • Having members of sports organizations from top to bottom undergo online training about mental and physical abuse.

• Introducing a universal code for all sports authorities to follow.

• Ensuring that independent safety officers investigate whenever concerns are www.canadianinquirer.net

raised and conduct proper follow-up.

• Having a rule of two, which ensures that young athletes are always paired and never left alone with staff or coach for an extended period.

“Those are really the cornerstones of what will take the system from where it is today ... to a much higher level of safety,” said J.D. Miller of B2ten, an organization that supports young athletes.

“If the governments accede to our request that eligibility for funding is tied to having an accredited safety program in place, we feel confident there will be change and the system will be much safer,” he said.

Kelly said she has three young children and that she would never let them compete at the provincial or national level in any sport under the current structure.

“It is urgent that we put in place a system that allows our children to be safe,” she said.

“I don’t want any one to go through what I did: being manipulated, denigrated and belittled. This has had an impact on my life right up until today.

“I used to be funny, smiling and very sociable but because of this manipulator, I became sad and withdrawn and someone who felt like a complete loser.” ❱❱ PAGE 18 Some victims

16

Canada News

JUNE 8, 2018

FRIDAY

Rob Ford’s widow accuses Doug Ford of mishandling her late husband’s estate THE CANADIAN PRESS

It further alleges Doug and Randy Ford arranged for and received very significant compensation from the Deco TORONTO — Ontario Progressive Con- Companies, including extravagant salaservative Leader Doug Ford is denying ries, bonuses, travel and car allowances allegations that he mishandled the es- and other benefits, which were paid retate of his late brother Rob Ford, causing gardless of the financial performance of financial harm to the late mayor’s widow those businesses. and two children.

The statement of claim, a copy of which The allegations, which have not been was posted online by the Toronto Sun proven in court, were contained in a and the Toronto Star, alleges that Doug lawsuit filed by Renata Ford and her two Ford knowingly and deliberately put Rechildren in Ontario Superior Court. nata Ford and her children in a “highly Renata Ford accuses Doug Ford, who stressful and unfair financial position” was the trustee of her husband’s estate, after her husband’s death in 2016. and his brother Randy of breach of trust The lawsuit seeks damages in excess and “negligent mismanagement” of the of $15 million from the defendants. family businesses, which were started Doug Ford said Monday in a stateby their father. ment that the allegations are completely The statement of claim alleges that false and he will fight them in court. after the death of Doug Ford Sr., the re“Renata’s lawyers have been clear to sponsibility for the management and us throughout this campaign that either direction of the Deco Companies was we hand 3:45 overPMmoney, or they would go Joel_CanadianInquirer_print.pdf 1 2017-10-05 assumed by Doug Ford and Randy Ford public with these false claims, and that is and they have since destroyed the value exactly what they have done, with three of the companies. days to go until the election,” he said. ■

Gender Equality Advisory Council Co-chair and Trustee Melinda Gates.

JSTONE / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

G7 gender council calling for pay equity, more funding for reproductive health

BY MICHELLE MCQUIGGE The Canadian Press

International Monetary Fund.

Their recommendations are lengthy and detailed and fall within three broad categories, including: ensuring girls and OTTAWA — A group of high-profile fem- women are safe, supported and visible; inist leaders is calling on the G7 to take facilitating financial empowerment and concrete action to ensure women and inclusion for women; and having womgirls achieve pay equity, have mandated en participate in and benefit from deciopportunities on corporate boards and sions made on climate actions. get better access to reproductive health More specifically, the council called services. for increased domesThese are among tic and international 60 recommendapublic funding for tions delivered to gender-based health Prime Minister Juscare, with a key focus tin Trudeau by the Now is the time on sexual and reproG7 gender equality to transform ductive health and advisory council set this formidable rights. up to help bring femimomentum G7 leaders should nism to the gathering into lasting “recognize that sexof world leaders later progress and ual and reproductive this week. change. health and rights are The time has fundamental and come for G7 counessential for gentries to make gender der equality and for inequality history healthy, inclusive soand capitalize on powerful grassroots cieties,” the council said. change movements like MeToo pushThis includes providing comprehening for an end to discrimination, harass- sive reproductive health services, inment and violence against women, the cluding safe abortion services, as part of council said in its report, released Mon- an integrated care package. day.

Achieving consensus on these rec“Now is the time to transform this for- ommendations could prove difficult, midable momentum into lasting prog- since President Donald Trump signed ress and change,” the report said. an executive order early in his term reThe council is made up of business instating a so-called global gag rule on and social leaders, including billionaire abortion, which forbids organizations philanthropist Melinda Gates, Nobel getting U.S. funding from even mentionPeace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai and Christine Lagarde, the head of the ❱❱ PAGE 18 G7 gender

www.canadianinquirer.net

Canada News

FRIDAY JUNE 8, 2018

17

Implementing Ontario’s accessibility law a priority for disability advocates

BY MICHELLE MCQUIGGE The Canadian Press TORONTO — If Emily Daigle had wanted to watch Ontario make history when it passed Canada’s first accessibility law in 2005, she would have had to do so from afar thanks to the lack of wheelchair accommodations in the legislature’s visitors’ gallery.

More than a decade later, Daigle and other disability advocates say the law that was supposed to eliminate such barriers has had little effect.

Even if the party that wins Thursday’s election heeds calls to improve the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Daigle will still struggle to get a front-row seat to the conversation. The visitors’ gallery remains inaccessible to wheelchairs and while five spots are available elsewhere, the distinction makes Daigle feel voices like hers are not as welcome in the province’s political

discourse.

The situation underscores what, for many, is a critical issue the new government will need to address — revisiting the legislation’s stated goal of making Ontario fully accessible by 2025 and implementing major changes to get that process back on track.

“Right now it’s about as worthless as Dollarama toilet paper,” Daigle said of the law.

“It has no teeth.”

The law — often referred to by its acronym, AODA — has dominated many campaign discussions around disability issues, which some activists say have been more numerous and nuanced than in past elections.

The three main parties have all made pledges or even explicit platform commitments geared toward the estimated 1.9 million Ontarians living with physical, intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Some of those came in response to a letter sent out by the AODA Alliance, a non-par-

tisan advocacy group that tackles issues around the province’s access legislation.

Chairman David Lepofsky outlined 48 accessibility related requests for the incoming administration and pressed the governing Liberals, the

Progressive Conservatives, the New Democrats and the Green Party for their commitments on each one.

All four asserted support for the AODA and the need for greater enforcement, which the alliance has flagged as an ur-

gent priority.

Government data obtained by the alliance showed that since 2013, more than half of private-sector companies with at least 20 employees had not filed mandatory AODA compliance reports. During that time, the government issued only five monetary non-compliance penalties.

Many of the alliance’s issues were not addressed in party responses, but Lepofsky said this year’s campaign marked the first time he’d secured accessibility related pledges from all four parties.

Another sign of growing engagement, he said, was an allparty debate in Toronto organized by community service providers and grass-roots organizations.

The Liberals defended their record but asserted more work needed to be done, including on AODA enforcement and mental health supports. Candidate ❱❱ PAGE 21 Implementing

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Canada News

18

JUNE 8, 2018

Some victims... ❰❰ 15

The women never referred to Charest by name in their re-

marks.

Prchal said the overwhelming feeling of shame and humiliation is one that has stayed with her for the better part of 20 years.

“My childhood dreams and goals were robbed from me,” she said. “My self-esteem was crushed. I found myself abandoned by the very people who were supposed to be taking care of me. Worst of all, they made me feel like I’d done something wrong.

“As with most victims of abuse, I have lived with the feeling that this was my fault.”

In a statement, Alpine Canada, applauded the courage of the four women and admitted in a statement it could have done more in 1998, when incidents first came to light.

“We have learned from this horrible situation by rewriting our policies, requiring mandatory training and improving governance,” Canada’s skiing body said. “We want to ensure

FRIDAY

G7 gender... no one ever suffers like these women have suffered.”

Simard, who raised the curtain on the abuse by being the first to file a police complaint in 2015, choked back tears as she described a stolen childhood.

“Our predator created chaos within the team and used us against each other,” Simard said. “Things did not turn out so well for him.

“Skiing was my passion. I aspired to great things. I had dreams and skiing was my life.

The sexual abuse I suffered completely destroyed my selfconfidence. My self-esteem was annihilated and my daily interactions with other people were greatly affected by the sexual assaults.

“My adolescence was in no way normal. It was a nightmare.”

Charest was found guilty in June 2017 of 37 of the 57 sexrelated charges he was facing, and was eventually given a 12year prison term.

The convictions involved nine of the 12 women who’d accused him of crimes that oc-

curred more than 20 years ago, when the victims and alleged victims were between the ages of 12 and 19.

He is appealing both his conviction and the sentence and was denied bail by the appellate court.

As of last December, he had seven years and 10 months left to serve because of his time in detention since his arrest in 2015.

The trial judge called him a sexual predator last June and had more harsh words last December when he said Charest still did not grasp the severity or the consequences of his crimes.

Quebec court Judge Sylvain Lepine said the victims were still suffering from what he called “serious health consequences” as a result of the abuse that took place between 1991 and 1998.

The women won the right last week to be identified after a judge granted their request to lift a publication ban. ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

❰❰ 16

ing the procedure, never mind ensuring access to it.

Trudeau’s office said he welcomes the council’s “bold and ambitious recommendations” and reiterated his commitment to support a woman’s right to choose.

But it remains unclear if he will push G7 leaders to agree to these specific initiatives. A spokesperson for Trudeau said only that the recommendations “will inform the discussions at this week’s G7 Summit in Charlevoix, and will guide the work of G7 countries moving forward.”

“Our government will always work with our G7 partners to promote the rights of women and girls,” said PMO press secretary Matt Pascuzzo. “Together, we can explore ways to implement the recommendations of the council and continue to work to achieve gender equality.”

The council also wants world leaders to enact and enforce comprehensive legal policies to protect against gender-based

violence, including child marriages, forced marriages and female genital mutilation.

There is also a call for G7 countries to find ways to make corporations and large publicsector employers increase the number of women on boards and to create incentives for the private sector to achieve pay equity for women by 2030 — with penalties for not complying.

Pay equity legislation that prohibits discrimination against women in hiring, training and promotions and that requires all employers with more than 250 employees to annually and publicly report pay and bonuses should be implemented, the council recommended.

Additionally, the gender gap in labour force participation should be reduced by 25 per cent by 2025.

“We call on the G7 governments to recognize that pay disparities are higher for women with disabilities, racialized and Indigenous women, further compounding pay inequities and act to eliminate the existing disparities.” ■

World News

FRIDAY JUNE 8, 2018

19

Handbag designer Kate Spade found hanged in apparent suicide

BY COLLEEN LONG The Associated Press NEW YORK — Kate Spade, a fashion designer known for her sleek handbags, was found hanged in the bedroom of her Park Avenue apartment Tuesday in an apparent suicide, police said. She was 55.

Spade’s body was found by a housekeeper not long after 10 a.m., police said at an afternoon news conference. Her husband and business partner Andy Spade was in the apartment at the time.

The police department’s chief of detectives, Dermot Shea, said that while investigators were still in the early stages of their inquiry, evidence including the state of the apartment and the presence of a note pointed to “a tragic suicide.”

It’s not clear how long Spade had been dead. The medical examiner will perform an autopsy.

The couple’s 13-year-old daughter was at school. Shea wouldn’t discuss what was in the note, but law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that, among other things, it contained a message to the teenage girl telling her it was

not her fault. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

“We are all devastated by today’s tragedy,” her family said in a statement through a spokesman. “We loved Kate dearly and will miss her terribly. We would ask that our privacy be respected as we grieve during this very difficult time.”

A crime scene truck was parked outside their building on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, and barriers had been set up to keep back reporters and gawkers who were arriving to the building.

The company she founded and later sold, Kate Spade New York, now has over 140 retail shops and outlet stores across the U.S. and more than 175 shops internationally.

Julia Curry, a spokeswoman for the company, said that “Kate will be dearly missed” and “our thoughts are with Andy and the entire Spade family at this time.”

Neva Hall, executive VicePresident at Neiman Marcus Stores, said the news was devastating.

“Her creative light and bright mind will be greatly missed,”

Hall wrote in a statement.

Kate Spade was born Katherine Brosnahan and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri.

She was working as an accessories editor at Mademoiselle magazine when she launched her company with husband Andy in their New York apartment in 1993. She started the company based on six shapes of bags that she thought every working woman needed. It created a smash.

“I grew up in the Midwest, where you have to have it (a fashion item) because you like it, not because you’re supposed to have it,” she told the AP in 2004. “For our customers, fashion is in the right place in their life. It’s an adornment, not an obsession.”

From the original boxy handbags, she expanded into shoes, luggage and other accessories, as well as a home line, stationery, and three books. Spade won multiple awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America and was named a “giant of design” by House Beautiful magazine.

“As an accessory, a great bag that takes the outfit somewhere else is interesting,” she told the AP in a 2000 interview.

Kate Spade.

She walked away from the company in 2007, a year after it was acquired from the Neiman Marcus Group for $125 million by the company then known as Liz Claiborne Inc. Coach, now known as Tapestry, bought the Kate Spade brand last year for $2.4 billion, seeking to broaden its appeal.

Meanwhile, Spade and her husband — brother of comedian David Spade — started a new

EVERETT COLLECTION / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

handbag company a few years ago, Frances Valentine. And she changed her name to Katherine Noel Frances Valentine Brosnahan Spade.

“I will never forget the first Kate Spade bag I got for Christmas in college,” Jenna Bush Hager tweeted. “She was a trailblazer. Her life and death are a reminder that pain doesn’t discriminate. Sending love to her family.” ■

Trudeau, G7 leaders to confront Trump on tariffs in opening G7 meeting

BY MIKE BLANCHFIELD AND ANDY BLATCHFORD The Canadian Press OTTAWA — A showdown over the competing economic visions of Donald Trump and his fellow world leaders is shaping up for their very first get-together Friday at the G7 summit in Quebec.

Trump’s fellow G7 leaders will use their initial gathering in Charlevoix to confront the U.S. president over his controversial decision to impose punishing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, senior Canadian officials said Tuesday.

But Trump’s top economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, said Trump plans to use the G7 to extol the virtues of tax cuts and red-tape rollbacks that the

U.S. administration says are responsible for fostering robust growth and low unemployment.

“America has a very strong growth story,” Kudlow said Tuesday on the Fox News program “Fox and Friends.”

“Business confidence is booming. We’re going to take that story to the G7 meeting. I hope that the other countries listen carefully.”

The remarks herald potential fireworks, and could set the tone for what could be an acrimonious two days of talks that will test the ability of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his top officials to keep the group from splintering.

The G7 in Charlevoix formally kicks off with a session on jobs of the future and the state of the global economy, which is

where Trudeau and others will push Trump to roll back the tariffs, said Canadian government officials who briefed journalists on the condition of anonymity.

Trudeau’s carefully crafted G7 agenda is under considerable strain following Trump’s decision last week to impose steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada, Mexico and Europe.

Officials insist there is still room for success on issues such as protecting oceans and educating girls in poor countries.

The tariffs, which prompted retaliatory measures from Canada and others, threaten to drive a wedge into the G7, fracturing the long-standing multilateral relationship into something observers describe as a “G6 plus one,” with the U.S. as the outlier.

Kudlow said he wants to see www.canadianinquirer.net

“a G7 meeting. I hope it’s not a G1 plus six meeting.”

Officials from Canada, the U.S. and other G7 members, including the European Union, were working behind the scenes to craft consensus on at least some of Trudeau’s agenda.

“We are working on bridging differences that exist,” said one grim-faced Canadian official, who refused to say whether the G7 would be able to reach an agreement by the time the summit ends Saturday.

The raison d’etre of the G7 is to ensure economic growth, and “given the current environment,” the discussion will very likely move towards trade issues, the official said.

Trudeau and his G7 partners have criticized Trump’s administration for protectionist practices they say will hurt econom-

ic growth in the long term.

Officials hinted that Trudeau could find a summit victory in an effort to help educate women and girls, but declined to say whether there would be a specific funding announcement at the G7.

International agencies urged Trudeau on Tuesday to push fellow G7 leaders for a US$1.3 billion investment in girls’ education. They also urged him not to allow the economic turmoil with the United States to interfere.

Six international agencies, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Vision, are calling on the G7 to make that three-year spending commitment.

The coalition also wants ❱❱ PAGE 30 Trudeau, G7

20

World News

JUNE 8, 2018

FRIDAY

Merkel condemns Iran tweet but still backs nuclear deal THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday she condemns a tweet from Iran’s top leader saying that Israel is a “cancerous tumour” that needs to be removed and pledged to increase pressure on Tehran to scale back its military influence in the region.

Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Merkel said Israel’s security was a top priority for Germany.

The two leaders were asked about a tweet Sunday from the account of Iran’s top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying his country’s “stance against Israel is the same stance we have always taken. #Israel is a malignant cancerous tumour in the West Asian region that has to be removed and eradicated: it is possible and it will happen.”

The Twitter account is run by Khamenei’s office and it’s not known if he dictates the tweets himself. The quote is from several years ago.

Netanyahu called the tweet “quite extraordinary.”

“Iran calls for our destruction, but it’s also seeking nuclear weapons to carry out its genocidal design,” he said.

Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons, and the U.N. says it

has met its obligations under the 2015 nuclear accord with world powers, which requires it to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.

Netanyahu was a staunch opponent of the deal, and welcomed the Trump administration’s decision last month to withdraw from it. Germany, Britain, France, Russia and China, which also signed the agreement, have said they want to preserve it.

Merkel said “we sharply condemn what the Iranian leadership said,” but at the same time reiterated her view that the nuclear agreement was the best way to prevent Iran from developing atomic weapons.

“We are not in agreement on all questions, but we are friends, we are partners,” Merkel said of the visiting Israeli leader.

The other co-signers of the nuclear agreement met last month in Vienna after the U.S. pulled out of the deal, reaffirming their commitment to it.

Netanyahu suggested the deal was bound to collapse without U.S. involvement, but said he agreed with Merkel that “Iran’s aggressions” needed to be kept in check.

“We have some disagreements, as you can see, but they’re not really on goal, they’re more on method,” he

said.

Netanyahu has argued that the economic relief provided under the nuclear deal has allowed Iran to expand its military interference across the region, where it backs the Syrian government as well as armed groups like the Lebanese Hezbollah.

Berlin was Netanyahu’s first stop in a European trip to try and turn key allies Germany, France and Britain to his way of thinking on the Iran deal.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s office said France will insist on having a dialogue with Iran.

The possible unraveling of the nuclear deal has raised concerns that the U.S. or Israel might resort to war if Iran ramps up its nuclear activities.

Khamenei, who makes the final decisions on all major policies in Iran, on Monday warned that anyone who fires one missile at his country “will be hit by 10” in response, but dismissed fears of war as “propaganda” by the West.

Khamenei said in a speech that he has ordered atomic authorities to increase the country’s nuclear enrichment capacity. The increase he detailed in his speech would not exceed limits set by the nuclear accord.

The supreme leader also reiterated his support for the coun-

German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

try’s ballistic missile program.

One of the main objections made by critics of the nuclear deal was that it did not address the missile program, which Israel and Gulf countries view as a threat.

“Production of various missiles and missile power provides security,” Khamenei said.

Earlier Monday, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency renewed calls for Iran to provide “timely and proactive co-operation” in inspections that are part of the nuclear deal.

NICOLE S GLASS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

At a news conference later, Yukiya Amano said his statement was “not an expression of concerns or complaints, but rather an encouragement to Iran.”

Last month, in its first report since the U.S. withdrawal, the IAEA said Iran continues to stay below the maximum level of uranium the deal allows it to enrich. The agency’s report also said Iran appears to be fulfilling other obligations, but is slow when it comes to “complementary access” inspections. ■

Orangutan forest being logged despite Indonesian gov’t vow THE ASSOCIATED PRESS JAKARTA, INDONESIA — Environmentalists say a tropical forest that’s home to critically endangered orangutans on Borneo island is being logged more than a year after Indonesia’s forestry and environment ministry ordered a halt to the forest’s exploitation.

Greenpeace said Tuesday its investigations at the Sungai Putri forest showed a logging operation underway with at least six illegal settlements that operate at night and some in areas with orangutan nests.

The 57,000-hectare (140,847acre) forest, populated with as

many as 1,200 orangutans, is testing the government’s ability to enforce its moratorium on drainage and exploitation of Indonesia’s extensive peatland forests, which was declared after massive dry season fires in 2015.

The fires, which destroyed 2.6 million hectares and swathed parts of Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and southern Thailand in a health-wrecking haze, highlighted the huge risks that pulp wood and palm oil planation companies have taken in draining swampy peatlands for industrial plantations, making them highly combustible. The World Bank estimated the fires caused losses of $16 billion.

The latest investigation is the second revelation in less than a year that commercial exploitation of the forest continues.

Photos and drone footage taken by activists in July showed an extensive drainage canal full of water, heavy earthmoving equipment on the land and planting of pulp wood tree seedlings despite an order in March from the Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya for the company responsible to cease operations.

“This is a major embarrassment for the Indonesian government, which has consistently promised to protect Sungai Putri,” Greenpeace said in a statement. www.canadianinquirer.net

The ministry’s director-general of law enforcement and its director of environmental disputes did not respond to calls or text messages. The ForestHints website, a semi-official news site for the ministry, said in a June 1 article that Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya has “displayed great consistency” in making sure Sungai Putri is not cleared. It said the forest would “unquestionably have been destroyed” without the ministry’s previous sanctions.

Exploitation of the Sungai Putri forest and Chinese investment in a related wood-processing plant is supported by provincial and district officials

in West Kalimantan province on Borneo.

An Indonesian company, Moharison Pawan Khatulistiwa, has a forestry ministry permit for logging in the forest, and a forestry ministry-approved work plan, which are now overridden by the moratorium on peatland development. It didn’t respond to calls.

Greenpeace said it was unclear whether the company was carrying out the logging or if other parties had taken advantage of roads built by the company to further encroach on the forest. The wood was supplying sawmills and furniture businesses in the Ketapang region of West Kalimantan, it said. ■

World News

FRIDAY JUNE 8, 2018

Implementing Ontario’s... ❰❰ 17

Damin Starr stated the party promise to raise Ontario Disability Support Program rates by three per cent for each of the next three years, as well as revisiting asset limits and how much money recipients can keep from employment or other sources.

The NDP, represented by MPP Monique Taylor, promised its own ODSP increase of at least five per cent. Other commitments included thousands of new affordable or supportive housing units and modernization of the Assistive Devices program that alleviates the cost of some accessible technology and mobility devices but has not expanded to cover heavily used tools like smart phones.

The party’s platform also promises to create a standalone ministry for mental health issues and do away with regulations forcing disabled youth to reapply for support programs once they turn 18.

The latter priority was echoed by Progressive Con-

servative candidate Christine Elliott, who also emphasized a $1.9 billion promise to bolster mental health supports and a public education campaign for employers looking to hire disabled workers.

Elliott, however, would not join the other parties in promising an immediate social support increase, saying that would be addressed when the province’s finances were under control. An individual on ODSP currently makes less than $1,200 per month, a figure well below the poverty line.

Promises from the Green Party, represented by leader Mike Schreiner, included a province-wide expansion of the guaranteed income pilot that rolled out in parts of Ontario last year, and barrier-free public transit.

Lepofsky said it’s been encouraging to witness such a wide-ranging discussion, crediting the disabled community for mobilizing on social media and applying pressure.

He said he’s observed the ef-

fects of that pressure in many ways. While he knows of few disabled candidates on the campaign trail, more people are openly discussing disability concerns that impact their families. Candidates are also making efforts to provide election materials in multiple formats and hold meetings in accessible venues, he said.

But Lepofsky noted that disability issues are still not frequently discussed by the prominent party leaders.

The incoming government will have the last real chance to reform the AODA and get province-wide accessibility back on schedule, he said, adding the uncertainty of the race means there may be room for contributions from all parties.

“One of the possibilities ... is a minority government, and in a minority government we want to make sure that our issues become a priority,” he said.

“That’s not just a function of what whoever wins does, but what the opposition parties make a priority.” ■

www.canadianinquirer.net

21

Team studies bones to identify the disappeared in Mexico

BY MARIA VERZA The Associated Press CIUDAD CUAUHTEMOC, MEXICO — A pair of rubbergloved hands carefully separates the red “Evidence” tape from a paper bag and empties the contents onto a table. Hundreds of burnt bone fragments spill out.

The fragments look like bits of volcanic pumice. Yet for the hands that gently smooth them out over the table top, each one bears a name and holds a piece of a story that nobody knows, but that someone, somewhere is desperate to hear.

The fragments laid out by investigators for the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team are among the remains of tens of thousands of people who

have simply disappeared in Mexico’s long and bloody drug war. These particular bones come from one of three isolated ranches in the city of Cuauhtemoc in the northern border state of Chihuahua, where bodies of victims were dissolved or burned in drums. Nearby stand boxes and bags of other evidence bearing the names of the places and conditions in which they were found, such as “Dolores Ranch” and “(Bone) Fragments stained with diesel.”

As President Enrique Pena Nieto prepares to leave office later this year, another administration has come and gone with little progress in solving one of Mexico’s biggest problems: the disappeared. Distrust of Mexican authorities runs ❱❱ PAGE 22 Team studies

22

World News

JUNE 8, 2018

FRIDAY

Team studies... ❰❰ 21

deep, and many families see the Argentine experts as the only ones to offer any answers to suffering that has stretched on for a decade or more.

In January, Mexico passed a “very important” law that introduces good methods for conducting searches and classifying crimes, said Ariel Dulitzky, director of the Human Rights Clinic at the University of Texas at Austin. But the law still needs funding and political will for enforcement, and it will only work together with a crackdown on corruption, he said.

Meanwhile, the disappearances continue: 21,286 during this administration so far since Dec. 1, 2012.

Cuauhtemoc, a rural hub that marks the entrance to the imposing Sierra Tarahumara mountains, has only 170,000 people, but is nicknamed “the capital of the disappeared” for its relatively high rate of abductions. The local state prosecutor’s office has listed 676 disappearance cases in the region since 2008, and 395 are missing just within the city. ___ One of the largest cases is of the Munoz family, where eight people disappeared seven years ago.

The family doesn’t gather much anymore at the old, treeshaded railway workers’ house on the outskirts of Cuauhtemoc. They were holding a Father’s Day celebration there on June 21, 2011, when their world came crashing down.

In the afternoon, some strangers came around and threw out insults, according to family members. A fight broke out, and the family called police. Officers came but didn’t do anything. One of the Munoz men took a radio from a patrol car and threw it out the window, sparking angry threats from the police, the family said.

A few hours later, a dozen pickup trucks with armed, uniformed men wearing ski masks turned up at the house. The men burst into the home and said they were looking for the radio.

“We all ran,” said Emma Veleta, the family matriarch, standing next to a banner with the photos of her husband, four sons, a grandson and a nephew who were taken away that day.

“Some went in one direction, some in another.”

One of her sons held onto her and pleaded, “Mom, don’t let them take me!” But it was useless. The women were tossed to the floor.

“It was here that they grabbed them out of my hands,” Veleta said. “I never saw them again, I just heard their shouts.”

They took eight men in all.

The authorities have made little progress since in finding out what happened.

“They have forgotten us,” said Albino Cruz, whose son Oscar disappeared that day. “We are going to die this way.”

Cruz and his wife, Maribel Munoz, still live in the house, and sadness hangs over the whole family like a disease.

Their 3-year-old daughter shows a photo of the last collateral victim of the disappearances: the Cruz’s other son, who hanged himself in despair.

Disappearances in Mexico are rarely solved because corruption complicates investigations and encourages impunity.

And resources are scarce. Experts say Mexico’s levels of violence are similar to those found in war zones, but its forensics capacity is that of a nation at peace.

The federal government says it is working on laws and helping states to improve technical methods of dealing with disappearances. It hopes to eventually draw up a national database of the missing that can be crossreferenced with thousands of unidentified bodies.

Seven years after the Munoz disappearances, the only thing the family has found is a belt buckle that could have belonged to Toribio Munoz, Veleta’s 61-year-old husband.

A child recognized it among the thousands of charred fragments being analyzed by the Argentines. Local prosecutors wanted to close the case, but the family is still waiting for evidence, and the Argentine investigators are looking for a DNA match, or at least for some answers.

“Nothing has been proven,” said Luisa Munoz, Toribio’s sister and the mother of Luis Romo, then 21, who disappeared that day.

The family thinks the police were involved in the disappearances and that explains the state government’s failure

to act. Assistant state prosecutor Jesus Manuel Carrasco said the officers who were there that day have since left the force.

“We cannot dismiss the possibility that they directly participated, but there is no evidence for it,” he said. ___ Disappearances in Mexico really started to take off in 2006, when President Felipe Calderon launched an offensive against the drug cartels.

Victims’ families were afraid to report the crimes, and authorities looked the other way and sometimes even directly cooperated, said Dulitzky.

A veil of silence fell over much of Mexico, including Cuauhtemoc.

The otherwise unremarkable city was valued for its routes into the mountains, a prime drug-growing area, and the Juarez and Sinaloa cartels started fighting over it. The city’s businesses and its location, just 140 miles (350 kilometres) from the U.S. border, made it all the more attractive to export drug proceeds.

The city was “a perfect laundering machine,” said Carrasco.

Both cartels infiltrated every level of the city through money and threats. People didn’t appear dead on the streets, they simply disappeared. The lack of a corpse made the possibility of prosecution — always unlikely — almost non-existent.

The families that did file crime reports were ignored, or harassed. Some decided to leave.

Cartels are still fighting over Cuauhtemoc and people are still disappearing. But a federal law since January allows authorities to prosecute crimes even without a corpse.

The families hold out hope that the Argentine investigators can help, as they have done throughout Mexico for a decade. Authorities are not always fond of the internationally recognized experts because their very presence is evidence of official failures. However, the team always works with official permission so its results will be accepted in court, and one member is on a new advisory body to deal with disappearances.

In Cuauhtemoc, the Argentines came in only after Gov. Cesar Duarte — now accused of several crimes and on the www.canadianinquirer.net

Ciudad Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua-Mexico.

run — left office in December 2016. They are trying to make the bones speak. State prosecutors had collected genetic samples to match fragments with several families, including the Munoz relatives, but the testing was never actually done.

The forensic team repeated the process with their own methods and standards, which included extensive interviews with families to find out any defining characteristics that could help in bone identification. They have made 13 identifications so far in the area, all from burned bone fragments found on rural ranches at the end of 2011.

The first identification was of Amir Gutierrez, a 33-year-old mechanic who disappeared in 2011. A vertebra turned out to be Amir’s bone.

His mother, Idalia Gutierrez, talks about the moment the Argentine investigators told her they had a DNA match. It was difficult news to hear, but also a kind of relief.

“I wanted to find him, alive or dead,” she said. “In my mind, I was telling myself, I cannot cry, I have to be calm, because if you cry you don’t understand what they are explaining to you.”

Mercedes Doretti, the head of the forensic team for Mexico and Central America, said the investigators prepare carefully to deliver such news to families, because it is a “tremendously difficult moment.”

She said the only way to get a family’s trust is to speak the truth, no matter how hard it

SHUTTERSTOCK

is. The Argentines try to leave nothing unexamined, nothing to chance, so the family is left without doubts — even if there is nothing to bury.

“You don’t want the identification to be an act of faith, but sometimes the bone fragments are so small, you can’t physically give them anything,” Doretti said. “Then there is an issue of trust.”

In that sense, Gutierrez is lucky. She has a vertebra — and the hope that something more, some other little piece of Amir may come to light. When she has gathered all there is, she will bury it.

“He will have his funeral, as it should be,” Gutierrez said. “After that, I will search no more.” ___ In the last of the boxes from the Dolores Ranch, the gloved hands have chosen 109 fragments that may contain DNA or other useful information to be sent to a laboratory in Argentina.

The rest is carefully swept into an envelope, every last ash, and closed and sealed as evidence to be held safely.

Luisa Munoz doesn’t want to lose hope, and will wait for the results of the latest round of testing. Her children in the United States want her to join them, but she doesn’t want to leave her house and her little store in a dusty Cuauhtemoc neighbourhood, in case one day Luis calls or returns.

Or in case one day, the Argentines give her a piece of bone that will make her cry. ■

23

Entertainment Kris Aquino gives Cartier necklace to ‘Yaya’ Bincai

BY JOANNA BELLE DEALA Philippine Canadian Inquirer THE QUEEN of All Media, known for being a very generous person especially to those people who are close to her heart, gave her sons’s nanny, ‘Yaya’ Bincai, a Cartier necklace as a way to express her love and gratitude.

Kris Aquino’s family is currently in Japan to celebrate her eldest son Josh’s 23rd birthday.

Josh is Kris’s son to actor Philip Salvador.

In a video posted on Monday, June 4, Kris told Josh to put the necklace, which has a pendant with three intertwined hearts and a hole in the middle, around his nanny’s neck. As Josh followed her mom’s instruction, Kris then jested: “Bincai will never be married. Yehey!”

The TV host said that according to the godmother of her employer, Jack Salvador, there is a Japanese belief that a heart with a hole in the middle “will never give a single woman lasting love.”

Bincai’s older sisters, Gerbel and Raquel, left Kris’s household as both of them tied a knot in October 2015 and January 2018, respectively. Gerbel and Raquel were nannies of Kris’s youngest son, Bimby.

“I’ve had this @cartier neck-

Kathy Griffin.

Kris Aquino (centre) with sons Josh (left) and Bimby (right).

lace for several years- and double purpose na (already), to show Bincai our love and gratitude and to make sure she stays with us for many more years,” Kris wrote.

Kris then mentioned the efforts made by Bincai just to take care of her and her sons.

“It was her discipline that made Kuya [Josh] lose the 140 lbs,” she said.

“And on her weekends off when Raquel calls her because my BP [blood pressure] goes haywire or my allergies act up, she immediately cuts short her rest to take care of me,” she added.

The actress thanked her Yaya

Bincai for truly loving her family, adding that she could not be a mom she is today without her support system.

The necklace that Kris gave to Bincai is one of Cartier’s Trinity Collection.

In the luxury brand’s website, there are two heart-shaped Trinity necklace: the one with less diamond is worth $4,400 (around P224,000), while the other that has diamonds covering the three hearts costs $7,200 (P367,200).

According to Philippine Entertainment Portal’s (Pep.ph) report, Bincai has the Cartier necklace worth $7,200. ■

KATHY HUTCHINS / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Griffin to be honoured by West Hollywood for LGBTQ activism THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. — Kathy Griffin will be honoured Tuesday by West Hollywood for raising more than $5 million for HIV/AIDS services and LGBTQ causes.

The city will present Griffin with a Rainbow Key Award as part of an annual ceremony honouring individuals who have made contributions to the LGBTQ community.

Griffin is in the midst of a comeback following the up-

roar after she posed for a photo shoot while holding a fake severed Donald Trump head in May 2017.

Griffin apologized, but later retracted it.

The comedian addressed the fallout of the image, which included death threats and lost jobs, in an interview with The Associated Press in April before she embarked on a North American tour.

West Hollywood is a city of 36,000 between Los Angeles’ Hollywood neighbourhood and Beverly Hills. ■

KZ: You should marry when you’re ready

BY BEA KIRSTEIN T. MANALAYSAY Philippine Canadian Inquirer WITH CHURCH bells ringing, baby bumps showing, and knees bending to offer a ring, celebrity couple KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde are just waiting for the right timing.

In the world of showbiz, different celebrities from the acting and music sub-industries

have tied the knot, have given their yeses to proposals, and have even announced welcoming the newest members of their families. For KZ, being in a relationship with TJ and being in the celebrity world does not pressure her into getting married.

“We will get there in time.

Kasi (Because) engagement is not a race, getting married is not a race,” KZ was quoted as saying in an article by the Phil-

ippine Entertainment Portal (PEP).

She said that age is not the only factor in turning into that next chapter of life.

“I know, maybe I’m at the right age to get married, puwede na (I can). Pero (But) I think you should marry when you’re ready,” she added.

The question came after her co-musician in Cornerstone Moira Dela Torre got engaged to her boyfriend Jason Marvin www.canadianinquirer.net

Hernandez.

KZ who was celebrating her 40th month equivalent to almost four years of being with TJ said that she will let the Lord take the wheel of her married life.

“Kung ibibigay naman ng Panginoon, bakit hindi (If the Lord will give it to me, why not)?” she said.

For KZ, she and TJ are still just building up their musical careers.

“Alam niya kasi, right now, although he’s part of the hierarchy of my priorities, alam niya na kaming dalawa, priority namin ang aming mga careers. Kasi nga, pareho kaming dalawa, we’re just starting (He knows that right now, although he’s part of the hierarchy of my priorities, he knows that for the two of us, our careers are our priorities. Because both of us, we’re just starting),” the singer shared. ■

24

Entertainment

JUNE 8, 2018

FRIDAY

Mike De Leon hits Atom for hypocrisy, narcissism

BY BEA KIRSTEIN T. MANALAYSAY Philippine Canadian Inquirer AS AN addition to the lengthy Facebook post wars between “Citizen Jake” writers Mike De Leon, the film’s director, and Atom Araullo, its actor, the renowned filmmaker continued to slam the latter.

This all started last week in the midst of the film hitting the theaters when Mike wrote how he felt about the journalist-turned-actor’s performance.

“I only realized later that Atom’s journalism was not exactly the kind of journalism I had in mind. It’s not the gritty kind but more of the celebrity-centered schlock that sometimes verges on entertainment, even showbiz,” Mike earlier wrote.

“Looking back, I can see why he wanted to become a movie actor. Perhaps the journalist was really a closet movie star,” he added.

Though Mike considered Atom’s contribution as “substantial” and even praised some of his scenes, he still felt relief in the thought that finishing “Citizen Jake” is like closing a book to “finally get out of each other’s lives.”

As of writing, the director’s first post

on Atom is already deleted, but on May 30, Wednesday, the actor also released his statement as a defense to Mike’s “hurtful” remarks.

Atom said that he would like this post to be his first and last comment on the issue, not wishing it to appear as a marketing stunt to promote the film or a behind-the-scene instance that would turn potential viewers off.

He wrote that he did not want to besmirch Mike’s reputation the way the director did to him. But he also said that Atom said that it is important to explain why he was not shocked by Mike’s latest tirade.

“It was only the latest in a string of unprovoked, irrational, almost random tantrums that I had to endure during the making of this film, determined as I was to see it through. It had a profound effect on me, and to be honest, made it that much harder to perform my duties in the movie,” he said.

Atom also labeled the filmmaker “a deeply troubled person,” and that Mike “needs help, patience, and understanding as he wrestles with his personal demons.”

The actor noted that he worked professionally and gave his best anyway.

Thanking Atom for “breaking his silence,” Mike wrote back by saying that he was indeed a deeply troubled person.

Mike de Leon (left) and Atom Araullo.

“I accept that. I come from a crazy rich family anyway. But let me just add that you forgot to mention a few important events. I will mention just one,” he said, continuing that, “When we were shooting the last sequence with Teroy, you unexpectedly ignored my direction and did something that was not rehearsed nor agreed upon. Many people were witness to this. The following day, I told you that never in my career as a director has any actor disrespected me as much as you did. Then I told you that if you wanted to direct yourself, then, by all means, do it.

You can overact all you want. I will just shoot whatever you wish to do and direct the other actors in the scene. Then you went into a meandering explanation about why you did it without really saying anything, not even apologizing.”

Mike further wrote that the actor was “cringing” when he is called a celebrity or a star.

“How hypocritical. Don’t bother to cringe anymore because you revel in it. You make commercials now and you exploited the Marawi bakwit by mak-

CITIZEN JAKE

ing that offensive commercial featuring yourself, monologuing like Citizen Jake, all under the sponsorship of McDo,” he commented.

The filmmaker cited Atom’s statement that he had his demons to face, but the former reporter also had his own demons to beat.

“Having admitted that I’m a deeply troubled person, i will make no excuses for it – not even the usual “artists are temperamental and accountable to no one but their art.” but please be kind to your soul and accept the reality – stop pretending to want to embrace the universe, when all the time, you only want to embrace yourself. This is called narcissism,” Mike wrote.

In the comments section, Mike said he was hoping to hear from Atom, saying that he can post on the page since he was already ‘unblocked.’

“Citizen Jake” is about a teacher and a “citizen journalist” Jake Herrera (played by Atom), who is conflicted with being the son of a Senator and with exposing the truth to the public. ■

Celine Dion to ring in 2019 with more Las Vegas residency shows THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LAS VEGAS — Celine Dion will ring in another New Year’s Eve at The Colosseum At Caesars Palace.

The Quebec superstar has announced 24 more performances for her Las Vegas residency. They include dates Oct. 30 through Nov. 17 and Dec. 28 through Jan. 20, including a performance on New Year’s Eve. Dion’s Vegas run was interrupted earlier this year by an ear condition called www.canadianinquirer.net

Patulous Eustachian tube. It forced her to cancel a series of shows over two months.

The 50-year-old singer returned to the stage in May after undergoing a “minimally invasive surgical procedure.”

The “My Heart Will Go On” songstress performs Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in Vegas this week.

She then heads overseas for 22 shows across the Asia-Pacific region, starting June 26 in Tokyo.

Tickets for the new batch of Colosseum shows go on sale Friday. ■

Entertainment

FRIDAY JUNE 8, 2018

25

Ellen Adarna misses Maris, Iñigo officially together? They first hearing on teen answer in the most millennial way paparazzo case

BY BEA KIRSTEIN T. MANALAYSAY Philippine Canadian Inquirer CONTROVERSIAL ACTRESS Ellen Adarna maintained disengaging with the legal turn of events from her “papped” Instagram story.

The 30-year-old actress is facing criminal charges filed by the parents of the 17-year-old girl she accused in her Instagram stories as a paparazzo.

Myra Santos, mother of Eleila Santos earlier posted an open letter calling on Ellen to issue a public apology after seeking legal assistance.

“We are reaching out to you to let you know how deeply hurt we are by the unneeded stress and unwanted attention you caused after you uploaded a photo and video of her on Instagram, without any consent from us,” Myra wrote on Monday, May 7.

According to her, Eleila tried to settle the matter privately but the actress did not reply.

“We initially took it lightly, thinking things would be resolved quickly and the 30-year old you would give the two minors the benefit of the doubt.

Even her aunt wrote a private message to you and mentioned she is a minor. However, we did not hear anything from you,” Myra continued.

“Instead, you posted a onesided narrative and insisted on erroneous and unfounded accusations again on Instagram.

Ellen Adarna.

You have claimed my daughter is guilty, rude, and has been repeatedly insinuating my daughter is lying,” she added.

Myra then demanded Ellen to publicly apologize, giving her five days to respond.

“We prefer not to take this further, but as our only daughter, we are ready to take this wherever needed to protect her integrity,” she also wrote.

While Ellen kept her Instagram active with posts and stories, she never touched on the issue.

ABS-CBN reported on Tuesday, June 4, that the Santos family pushed through with their legal action before the Pasig City’s Prosecutor’s Office.

Ellen, however, was not present in the hearing.

Atty. Arnold Labay, the family’s legal counsel told ABS-CBN that the “hearing was reset to June 11 due to the absence of Ms. Ellen. [The] Santos family would just wait for the child abuse and cybercrime cases to take [their] due course.”

It was also Labay who confirmed to the Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP) on May 15 that Eleila’s parents proceeded on taking things to a legal turn.

“Yes, Myra and Roel Santos, to protect the rights of their minor daughter, filed earlier today complaints for violations R. A. (Republic Act) 7610 (Anti-child abuse Law) and R.A. 10175 (Anti-Cyber Crime Law) against Ms. Ellen Adarna,” the lawyer texted PEP. ■

VITO SELMA

BY BEA KIRSTEIN T. MANALAYSAY Philippine Canadian Inquirer

LIT, BAE, FAM – These are just some of the three-lettered words playing with millennials’ tongues and vocabulary, and for Maris Racal and Iñigo Pascual, they have their own tri-letter word to describe their relationship. Sort of.

“Kung kami na? Mej (If we are together? Sort of ),” this was Maris’s reply to the Entertainment press when she was asked about the real score between her and the younger Pascual.

While not really a new addition to the colorful word pool of millennials, mej originated from the Tagalog term “medyo” which meant “a bit” or “sort of.” And as the word’s definition itself implies vagueness, so did the 20-year-old singer-actress’s reply.

Question marks keep on popping if Maris and Iñigo are an item as interviews of them separately or together always led them to admit that they see each other as someone special.

This vagueness yet clearness has given birth to MarNigo fans to continue shipping them.z Their recent fan meeting at the ABS CBN Vertis Tent just

Iñigo Pascual (left) and Maris Rascal (right).

added fuel to the fire after they exchanged three special words: I love you.

“Obviously, mahal namin ang isa’t isa (we love each other),” this was Maris’s remark on the issue as well.

Iñigo’s reaction to her “mej” relationship status did not swing the other way as well.

“We’re not saying we’re together… I love Maris, I love being with her,” the 20-year-old actor said.

“I’m not saying we’re together because we’re focused on so many things. The thing is we know we are enjoying our lives and we are literally on cloud nine right now and we are just happy sa sobra sa dami ng (with

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all this abundance of ) blessings,” he added.

Iñigo also said that nothing is wrong with exchanging love declarations when it is what they feel for each other.

“Yes, I said I love you to her and she said ‘I love you too’ and I don’t think it’s a bad thing. It’s okay to love people and to really share your love to people. I don’t see anything wrong with that,” he said.

The younger Pascual also admitted that though Maris is already familiar with his family, he thinks that they have to know a lot more about each other before taking it to the next level. ■

Woody Allen: I should be the poster face for #MeToo movement THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA — Woody Allen says he should be the face of the #MeToo movement in terms of what to do right.

In an interview that was broadcast Sunday night, Allen said he’s a “big advocate” of #MeToo, and once again denied allegations that he molested Dylan Farrow, his adopted daughter.

“It’s funny, I should be the poster boy for the #Metoo movement because I’ve worked in movies for 50 years, I’ve worked with hundreds of actresses...and not a single one, www.canadianinquirer.net

big ones, famous ones, have ever, ever, suggested any kind of impropriety at all,” he told Argentine journalist Jorge Lanata in New York.

“I’m in principle, and in spirit, completely in favour of their bringing to justice genuine harassers,” Allen said during the interview with Argentina’s Channel 13.

“Now, if innocent ones get swept up in there, that’s very sad for the person, it’s unjust, but otherwise, I think it’s a very good thing to expose harassment.

Farrow, Allen’s daughter, in 2014 renewed the claim that Allen molested her in an attic in 1992 when she was 7-years-

old. Allen, who has long denied the allegations, was investigated for the incident but not charged. Farrow has previously questioned why the #MeToo movement hasn’t ensnarled Allen.

Earlier this year, Mira Sorvino published a public apology to Farrow, saying she was sorry for “turning a blind eye” to Farrow’s accusations against Allen.

She also vowed never to work with him again. Sorvino starred in Allen’s “Mighty Aphrodite.”

Other actors have also distanced themselves from Allen, raising questions about the future of the prolific filmmaker in ❱❱ PAGE 29 Woody Allen

26

Lifestyle 7 things: What to expect when you’re expecting a puppy

BY MOLLY SPRAYREGEN The Associated Press PUPPIES BRING unending joy to a home, but they’re also a handful. Experts say dog owners are often surprised by just how much time and attention puppies require.

If you’re preparing for a puppy, there’s so much more to think about than buying a crate, toys and food. Here are seven things to know: You need a puppy education plan

“The best thing people can do is organize the puppy’s education,” says Andrea Arden, founder of Andrea Arden Dog Training in New York City.

Arden has trained dogs for 24 years, and says owners can become overwhelmed if they don’t have a training plan by the time the puppy arrives. The best course of action, she says, is to hire a trainer you and your puppy can work with in person.

Also, seek out reputable books and websites to help you learn the best training practices.

“If you do it right,” says Arden, “You’re raising a dog that is going to be a really fun, stressfree part of your life for hopefully 15 years.”

Matt Gecht and Allie Gottlieb, who run the Instagram account ?otter_doodle for their 7-month-old goldendoodle, Otter, say that before his arrival, they had a friend help them prepare a comprehensive Excel document containing everything from toys to budget to

training.

Socialization is also an integral part of a puppy’s education.

Once your puppy is settled in, regularly take it for walks in populated areas to meet other people and dogs. Dog training expert Sarah Wilson of St. Louis notes, however, that until your puppy is vaccinated, avoid taking it anywhere there might be unvaccinated dogs.

You will lose sleep

“I can’t tell you how many phone calls and emails we get that people are shocked they’re losing sleep because the puppy is waking them up,” Arden says.

“For me there is no surprise in that. It’s a little baby creature.

It’s in a brand new environment where the puppy is expected to spend time alone, and they are not prepared for that.”

You will need to contain your puppy

“Get gates,” says Wilson. “Supervise the puppy the way you would supervise an 18-monthold child with a pair of scissors in one hand and an indelible marker in the other.”

Puppies need constant supervision so they don’t swallow something unsafe. It’s impossible to keep your eye on them if they’re not contained.

And not containing puppies sets them up to fail, says Arden.

“Most people bring puppies home and think the puppy needs to investigate the house in order to become comfortable,” she says. “A young puppy wandering a living room is likely to just stop and squat.”

Your life will change more than you think

Nancy Bear Karger, who along with her husband and kids is raising Dolly, a 1-yearold Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, says that needing to be home for the puppy was a big adjustment. When planning trips or even going out for the day, a plan must be in place — and it’s more than just stopping in briefly. “We can’t just come home, let her out and put her back in her crate,” Karger explains. “That’s not fair to her.”

Arden says to expect life to change “pretty dramatically” for at least the first six months of your puppy’s life, when it will need the most time and attention.

Expect the puppy to be confused

It’s easy to become frustrated when your puppy does something wrong, but remember it’s

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still learning.

“This little being has only been on the planet for 100 days,” says Wilson. “If the puppy isn’t doing what you want, it’s because the puppy doesn’t understand. Your puppy is not dominant. It’s just a confused baby.”

Puppies are overwhelmed when they arrive in a new home, Wilson says. “As far as your puppy’s concerned, they’ve been beamed up by friendly aliens. You took them away from the only home they know and dropped them into another home which is completely different, so be ready to coach them on making the right choices.”

She suggests minimizing stress on the puppy through tactics like giving it the same food it’s been eating, and waiting a few days to introduce it to your friends.

It’s (really) expensive

Between vet visits, food, toys

and everything else, Gottlieb and Gecht said that even with the budget they prepared, they were not expecting Otter to be so expensive. “We were financially prepared going into it, and we were still surprised at how much we were spending,” Gottlieb says.

Don’t forget to enjoy the good parts

Raising a puppy is hard, but there are so many wonderful parts of the journey — especially the unconditional love. “Dolly instantly was a member of our family,” says Karger. “You can just hear and see the joy in each one of us.”

When feeling exasperated, Gottlieb says, “Remind yourself there’s a reason you got a dog and the reason is for that love.

While training can be frustrating, once you get through it, it’s going to be amazing.” ■

Lifestyle

FRIDAY JUNE 8, 2018

27

Department stores making A storybook ending? themselves over in beauty battle Rescued writer gets the girl, sets sail

BY ANNE D'INNOCENZIO The Associated Press

NEW YORK — It’s the beauty aisles themselves getting makeovers now.

Department stores are being forced to rethink how they sell higher-end makeup and perfume as competition intensifies from discounters like Target, specialty chains like Sephora and Ulta and online brands. So stores like Saks and Macy’s are promising workouts for your face, augmented reality and beauty treatment concierges as they try to attract millennial customers and make the cosmetics aisles more of a destination than a stopover.

To expand its beauty area to the size of a typical grocery store, Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship location is even bumping cosmetics from its position near main-floor entrances to the second level, breaking from a century-old tradition in retailing.

“Department stores have to reinvent themselves, and that’s not an easy thing to do,” said Larissa Jensen, an analyst at NPD Group, a market research firm.

“Everyone has an eye on beauty. It’s an area that consumers continue to be excited about.”

But shoppers are changing the way they buy beauty products, fueled by social media, the explosion of new trends and emerging brands. Customers want to experiment with products beyond the brands to which they’re loyal. And with information online, they’re more knowledgeable when they approach the cosmetics counter.

Specialty chains like Ulta and Sephora overtook department stores by share of the U.S. beauty and personal care market in 2009, according to research firm Euromonitor International. By last year the specialists had more than 15 per cent of the market and department stores fell below 9 per cent.

Department stores, already trying to keep customers coming through the doors, are freshening up the face they present to shoppers.

Saks Fifth Avenue has expanded the beauty section at its New York flagship by 40

BY DAVID SHARP The Associated Press

Sephora store in Time Warner Center, New York City.

ROMAN TIRASPOLSKY / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

per cent to 32,000 square feet.

It has 15 treatment rooms for services like getting your back fat frozen or workouts for your face to combat sagging. It offers complimentary services like mini-facials, with a concierge to greet customers and help book appointments.

Meanwhile, Macy’s is allowing shoppers to experiment more with products and letting beauty advisers step away from the counter to help them.

It also has areas that focus on specific categories like mascaras or highlighters that include many brands. And it’s featuring augmented reality technology in a cluster of stores for shoppers who want to experiment without trying everything out.

Stores like Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, meanwhile, are creating hubs of the latest trends and beauty products.

J.C. Penney, still scarred by a disastrous makeover a few years ago, has been expanding its highly successful partnership with Sephora and will have those shops in 75 per cent of its stores this year.

“We are all thinking of new ways to innovate,” said Nata Dvir, Macy’s general business manager of beauty.

Sephora and Ulta had already shaken up the longtime pattern of shoppers going to department stores and talking to advisers for higher-end products or finding low-priced offerings at drug stores.

Both chains have expanded rapidly, multiplying the number of places shoppers can test makeup and get tutorials. And Sephora in particular has been ahead in adopting technology

like using facial scans to find foundations and concealers to match a person’s skin tone. It was the first beauty brand to adopt chatbots, according to research firm CB Insights.

Their success has pushed discounters like Walmart and Target as well as drugstores like CVS to revamp their cosmetics areas with more open spaces, brighter lighting and more attractive fixtures. Discounters have also been working with suppliers to jump on new trends and get items in stores in a few months later instead of in a year.

Target now has sales assistants who specialize in beauty, and launched a concierge service on its site that lets shoppers chat with experts and virtually try on makeup. Customers will soon be able to text a beauty expert, and at 10 stores they can try augmented reality technology.

And online sites, such as Colourpop and Glambot, feature high-end brands at more affordable prices.

Against this competition, Saks Fifth Avenue aims to offers an over-the-top beauty experience, with large shops devoted to brands like Chanel and Gucci, something that hasn’t been seen before in the beauty departments. It’s a mix of technology and serious pampering.

There’s even a florist shop with matching fragrances.

Much was made of the move away from the ground floor, but Saks Fifth Avenue president Marc Metrick says the new format is designed for someone who wants to spend time.

“We really wanted to create an emotional connection with a customer,” said Metrick. ■ www.canadianinquirer.net

exciting. The challenge was just not to be scared and trust that we were not going to sink,” she said in a telephone interview PORTLAND, MAINE — A nov- from Charleston, South Caroelist who was twice rescued at lina. “It was coming to terms sea has sailed 7,000 trouble- with the vastness of the ocean,” free miles and envisions a sto- she said. rybook ending to his journey.

Added Hurley: “If there was Michael Hurley is complet- any flaw in the relationship, it ing a voyage from France to the was going to be revealed then.

Caribbean to North America We came out of it confident that with a first mate who is engaged we got along and were right for to be his wife. Then he’s em- each other.” barking on a new adventure by For Hurley, it was supposed putting his boat into storage, to be a round-the-world advengetting married and moving to ture. But he is cutting it short England. after two years and 7,000 miles The 60-year-old Hurley, who in the Atlantic and Caribbean. sold his North Carolina law He said he met his goal of firm so he could sail and write, crossing an ocean, and he’s has travelled far since he was ready for a break from sailplucked from his storm-bat- ing. The journey ends June tered sailboat by the student 15 in Oriental, North Carocrew of the Maine Maritime lina, where Nevermore will be Academy training vessel in stored.

2015. It was the second time Nate Gandy, captain of the he had been resMaine Maritime cued and lost his Academy trainboat. ing vessel, said Despite the he’s happy that bad luck, his We came out Hurley was sucwanderlust reof it confident cessful in crossmained unfulthat we got ing the ocean. “It filled, and he along and takes more than soon purchased were right for luck to make a a final sailboat. each other. trans-Atlantic He signalled his trip like that,” intentions by Gandy wrote in naming it Neveran email. more.

Hurley and This time, his luck changed. Gormley are eager to tie the He found love while in the knot at a yacht club on the United Kingdom writing “The Thames River in October in Passage,” a book that drew from London. They will be semi-rehis experience of being res- tired, and Hurley will continue cued. His fiancee, Jill Gormley, writing. The budding novelist of London, said she had never has written a half-dozen books. been sailing before meeting The Maryland native is planhim. Her introduction was a ning a memoir, “The Leap.” The four-week sail to St. Lucia. title comes from the American “We didn’t have a single ar- philosopher John Burroughs, gument in 28 days,” Gormley who proclaimed, “Leap and the said, despite cramped quarters, net will appear.” canned food and an early bout Hurley has taken that to of seasickness. heart.

Gormley, who ran a program “If you open yourself up to for schoolchildren with special new experiences, they will lead needs, was up for an adventure. to new opportunities,” he said, The challenge, the 56-year-old “but if you fear constantly that Gormley said, was overcoming you have to have a plan and a fear. budget and a bankroll, and ev“I wasn’t bored. We chatted, erything has to be laid out in played guitar, watched dol- advance, then you miss out on a phins. Everything was new and lot of the serendipity of life.” ■

28

Lifestyle

JUNE 8, 2018

FRIDAY

Challenging the myths about millennials and housing

BY MARKUS MOOS Associate professor, University of Waterloo CONVENTIONAL WISDOM suggests millennials have been squeezed out of the housing market in cities like Toronto and Vancouver.

They can’t afford the singledetached homes that make up big chunks of older neighbourhoods in those cities. They don’t want to raise children in tiny two-bedroom apartments or condos in high-rise buildings in the downtown core. They are either “stuck” in high-rise condos or have to endure the long, congested commute from surrounding suburban municipalities to afford a single-detached home.

It’s time to challenge some assumptions.

There is indeed a large area of older, predominantly singledetached homes surrounding the City of Toronto. These areas offer a prime opportunity to transform them into higherdensity, transit-accessible yet still ground-oriented housing for millennials as they move out of apartments or their parents’ homes and seek housing in coming years.

areas dominated by high-rise condos and apartments.

This is causing a dilemma for the future sustainability of our communities.

There is a large body of evidence that points to the need to increase the density of our residential areas: Higher-density housing has been shown necessary to reduce the urban sprawl that’s associated with economically inefficient infrastructure development, traffic congestion and a host of environmental ills.

But higher-density housing, in the way it’s been built in most North American cities, is also often deemed too small for households larger than three or more people. This is because most new, higher-density housing is being built in the form of one or two-bedroom apartment units in high-rise buildings.

As such, high-density living is often considered only suitable for millennials without children or their aging parents — the downsizing baby boomers — and not for households with kids.

There are several problems with this argument.

ing — puny condo/apartment in a high-rise building, or a detached “family” home far outside the city and requiring a long commute.

What’s overlooked is that housing near urban amenities and places of employment can still be sufficient to accommodate larger households, including those with children, if built in the form of attached, groundoriented housing. The choice does not need to be between single-detached homes in farflung suburban municipalities and small, high-rise condos in the downtown.

‘Missing middle’

There is growing awareness of what is now often called the “missing middle”. That is, a lack of ground-oriented yet attached housing in existing built-up areas. A number of observers have pointed to the large swaths of housing in greater Toronto, largely consisting of single-detached homes, as a prime area for building more of this “missing middle.”

Some have even called the area surrounding the old City of Toronto the “yellow belt” due to its zoning designation How much space do we need primarily for detached housing to live? that planners generally colour First, how much housing in yellow on their maps.

The forever young city space we need is subjective.

Although the context differs, Currently, more millenni- There are a growing number of similar opportunities exist in als are living in smaller apart- people who are living comfort- other Canadian and U.S. metroments in the downtown areas of ably in smaller homes. politan areas as well. major metropolThe challenge itan cities than in practice is was the case for that these homes previous generawill have to be tions of young They are either “stuck” in highbuilt in existadults. rise condos or have to endure ing neighbourMany eventuthe long, congested commute hoods, not on ally move out of from surrounding suburban what’s known as the higher-denmunicipalities to afford a singlegreenfield sites sity areas as they detached home.

— previously unget married and developed land, have children, generally located and new young in faraway subadults move in.

Second, the notion that urbs. New developments on I have called this process the apartment living is not suit- greenfield sites are difficult to youthification of higher-den- able for raising children re- serve by transit because they sity neighbourhoods, which veals a cultural bias seemingly are far from existing infrastrucseemingly stay “forever young.” ignorant of the large number ture. They are also encroaching of people globally who live and on valuable environmentally Moving away raise families in apartments, significant lands.

Some will stay due to grow- and increasingly in our own citYet even most of our existing ing preferences for downtown ies as well. neighbourhoods are still too living, but as millennials are But most importantly, mil- low-density to be adequately getting older, more of them are lennials are offered a false and efficiently served by pubbeginning to move away from choice in the debate on hous- lic transit. More people will www.canadianinquirer.net

have to take transit if we are serious about reducing congestion that is increasingly impacting our quality of life, as well as to meet climate change reduction goals.

This means we need to densify existing areas.

There will be a backlash. In fact, there are already examples of strong opposition to what’s known as infill development — building more housing in existing built-up areas.

Tough decisions

But the future sustainability of our cities will depend on whether we’re willing to make the tough decisions required to open up existing neighbourhoods dominated by single-detached homes to infill development.

Some have recently claimed that millennials are “stuck in condos.” This argument seems flawed.

There will be low-density housing stock available to millennials due to a combination of continuing development of single-detached housing on greenfield sites and the freeing up of homes as people who currently own homes eventually die.

Those who make claims about millennials desiring single-detached dwellings are also forgetting that for many, this is

seemingly their only alternative to high-rise apartment living.

While some may be able to afford housing a la carte, most of us are stuck eating what’s offered on the menu. Sadly, the Canadian housing menu does not yet offer much choice. If in the market to buy, we’re generally choosing between small, high-rise apartments or affordable houses with long commutes.

Many millennials have grown up in large metropolitan areas, spent much of their time in amenity-rich neighbourhoods, going to school with access to transit passes and experiencing the convenience and health benefits of walkable and transit-oriented neighbourhoods during their young adult years.

This lifestyle can and should be accommodated in the suburbs of the future, not least for sustainability reasons. Millennials will live in the suburbs, closer to transit, in higherdensity housing, if we build this new kind of suburb with and for them. ■ This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available on the original site.

29

Sports Run Rio-UP Team’s Halagueña rules girls 5,000 meters walk

BY JEAN MALANUM Philippine News Agency ILAGAN CITY, ISABELA — Alana Julianne Halagueña, representing Run Rio-University of the Philippines Team, won the girls 5,000 meters walk on Monday in the 2018 Ayala Philippine Athletics Championships at the Ilagan Sports Complex here.

Halagueña, a Grade 11 student at the University of Asia and the Pacific in Pasig City, clocked 31:17.5 to win the girls 5,000 meters walk over teammate Sally Campus, who finished second in 32:11.5. Team Titus’ Juliana Talaro placed third in 32:29.5.

It was the second gold medal this year for Halaguena after winning the same event last month at the Philippine National Games in Cebu City.

Run Rio-UP Team, which grabbed the overall leadership from Dasmariñas City on Sunday night, has garnered 14 golds, 16 silvers and 11 bronzes as of 11 a.m.

Those who delivered the gold medals on Sunday were Marjun Sulleza, Marisol Amarga and the boys 4x100 meters relay team of Algin Gomez, John Carlo Yuzon, Kenneth Corpuz and Sulleza.

Sulleza, a graduate of St. Alexus College in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, won the boys 110 meters hurdles event in 14.92 seconds. University of Perpetual Help System DALTA’s Bryan Nino Dumaguit (14.96) and Tuguegarao City’s John Wayne Pe Benito (15.31) placed second and third, respectively.

Amarga, who is training with the team for a year now, registered the best time of 2:14.96 in the girls 800 meters event. RP Team-City of Ilagan’s Tara Borlain finished second in 2:16.07 while Team Baguio City’s Mary Grace Zamudio was third in 2:17.75.

In the boys 4x100 meters

relay team final, Run Rio-UP Team submitted the fastest time of 43.48 seconds against San Beda University-Manila (43.92) and CSF Knights (44.47).

“I am happy that we’re leading,” said race organizer Rio de la Cruz, who is also head coach of the University of the Philippines track team. He earned a Physical Education degree in the same school.

“This is the first time that our team joined a big tournament like this and I am happy with our performance. I also want to give the athletes, especially the young ones, the exposure they need,” said the 36-year-old De la Cruz, who won the Rookie of the Year honors in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) in 2001.

Meanwhile, Edwin Giron Jr. topped the boys 800 meters run for Dasmarinas City, which now has 11 gold medals, six silvers and one bronze.

Giron clocked 1:52.70 to win the race over San Beda University-Manila’s Anthony Bacle Jr. (1:56.67) and Run Rio-UP Team’s Ferdinand Tridanio (1:56.74).

Philippine Army won the women’s shot put (Narcisa Atienza), women’s 800 meters run (Ailene Tolentino), men’s 5,000 meters run (Richard Salano) and women’s 5,000 meters run (Jho-An Villarma) to remain in third place with 10 golds, five silvers and six bronzes in the tournament organized by the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and supported

by MILO, LTime Studio, Soleus, Cocolife, UCPB Gen, Foton, Cherrylume, Rebisco, F2 Logistics, International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Clinton Kingsley Bautista ruled the men’s 110 meters hurdles event for RP Team-City of Ilagan, which ranked fourth overall with nine golds, four silvers and three bronzes.

De La Salle University is in fifth place with five golds, including two from Daniela Daynata, who won the girls discus throw and javelin throw, to go with four silvers and two bronzes.

The other gold medalists were Cantafa-Camarines Norte’s Melvin Calano (men’s javelin throw), Sabah Malaysia Team’s Mohd Eizlan Dahlan (men’s high jump), University of Santo Tomas bet Jhon Lawrence Balleslos (boys’ hammer throw), Ateneo de Manila University’s Alexie Mae Caimoso (girls heptathlon) and Sheila Talja (girls triple jump), and University of Baguio’s Felyn Dolloso (women’s triple jump).

In the Masters division, the gold medalists in the 10,000 meters run event were Philippine Army’s Erinio Raquin (30-34 years old), Jobert Carolino (35-39 years old), and Rodolfo Tacadino (55-59 years old); Dairuk Running Club’s Noel Fabros (40-44 years old) and Melchor Carig; and LGU Penablanca’s Marlo Pagulayan (45-49 years old), while in the long jump event, the winners were unaffiliated Honeyjoy Salaysay (30-34 years old), Soleus L-Timestudio Team’s Elenita Punelas (45-49 years old) and Emelie Rosale (60 years old and above).

Also bagging gold medals were Team Ilagan’s Maricar Gammad (40-44 years old) in the women’s 2,000 meters steeplechase; Team Iskolar-Calamba City’s Yourke Tamayo (3034 years old), Philippine Army’s Alonzo Jardin (40-44 years old) and Soleus L-Timestudio Team’s Emerson Obiena (5054 years old) in the men’s pole vault; and unaffiliated Philip Salaysay (35-39 years old) and De La Salle University’s Edward Obiena (50-54 years old) in the men’s discus throw. ■

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Jeron Teng.

INSTAGRAM

Jeron Teng, 2 others injured in clash outside BGC bar

BY IVAN STEWART SALDAJENO Philippine News Agency MANILA — Former La Salle players Jeron Teng, Norbert, and Thomas Torres were injured following a commotion outside a bar at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig early Sunday.

Based on the report of the Philippine National Police’s office in Taguig, a copy of which was obtained by the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Teng and the two Torreses were walking just outside the Early Night Club in The Fort Strip when three men confronted them, leading to the suspects stabbing the basketball players.

The three ballers were rushed to St. Luke’s Medical Center to get treatment, while the suspects, identified as Edmar Manalo, Joseph Varona,

and Willard Basili, were arrested and are set to be charged with frustrated homicide and less serious physical injuries.

Norbert Torres, who plays for Rain Or Shine in the PBA, got 11 stitches on his left arm.

On the other hand, Thomas Torres, who was drafted by Magnolia in the third round of last year’s PBA Draft but was left unsigned in the league and instead joined Mandaluyong in the MPBL, suffered a torn triceps and will be out for four to six weeks.

Jeric Teng, Jeron’s older brother, confirmed that the Alaska rookie got three wounds on his back and will miss some basketball action as well.

Jeron Teng and Norbert Torres were fresh from playing for the Aces and the Elasto Painters during their Commissioner’s Cup games on Saturday night when the incident happened. ■

Woody Allen... ❰❰ 25

an industry sensitive to allegations of sexual misconduct in the midst of a #MeToo reckoning.

“What bothers me is that I get linked in with them,” Allen said. “People who have been accused by 20 women, 50 women,

100 women of abuse, and abuse, and abuse, and I, who was only accused by one woman, in a child custody case, which was looked at, and proven to be untrue, I get lumped in with these people.” ■

30

Business Unemployment rate down to 5.5% in April

Grab eyes providing subsidies to drivers

BY KRIS CRISMUNDO Philippine News Agency

BY AEROL JOHN PATEÑA Philippine News Agency

MANILA — The country’s unemployment rate in April 2018 declined to 5.5 percent from 5.7 percent in the same month in 2017, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed Tuesday.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said in a press briefing that April 2018’s labor data recorded the lowest unemployment rate compared to April data over the past decades.

Edillon noted that unemployment among youth also improved to 13.8 percent, which is also a record-low youth unemployment rate in the past decades, from 14.9 percent.

“What we are really interested is that they should be either in employment, education, and

training,” she added. “For those who did not join the labor force among youth, they often cited reason is really that they are really actually in school.”

Moreover, Edillon noted that the Build Build Build Program of the Duterte administration has contributed to job generation in the past months.

Of the over 600,000 jobs created, Edillon mentioned that majority of these jobs came from construction sector with 468,000 fresh jobs for Filipinos in this sector.

However, underemployment also rose in April 2018 to 17 percent from 16.1 percent in the same period last year.

NEDA defined those underemployed as those who want to have “additional working hours in their present job, or to have additional job, or to have a new job with longer working hours”.

Edillon said there is ample de-

mand for workers in the country, but the government should address mismatch between the demand of the industry and the skills of available talent in the labor market to improve the underemployment figures.

“What really has to happen is for the workers to really improve their employability so they get into the more remunerative jobs, it’s the job the gives you decent wages. And the way to do that is though human capital investments,” she said.

“In the case of our government, we have been investing in human capital. Especially in higher education, we have free tuition in state universities and colleges. We have actually increased our assistance even to TVET (technical and vocational education and training) schools for those who would like to improve their skills,” the NEDA official added. ■

nate the G7 when Trump makes his Canadian debut at the summit.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau, who hosted his own G7 counterparts last week in Whistler, B.C., said afterwards that he expects the leaders to keep pressure on the U.S. to reconsider the tariffs.

Trudeau’s office says the prime minister spoke to provincial and territorial premiers Monday to update them on Ottawa’s response to the “unacceptable” U.S. tariffs.

The personal relationship that Trudeau has tried to forge with the mercurial U.S. president has become strained of late, evidenced in the tough words he used to describe the Trump administration’s decision — an approach he continued during his call with the premiers.

“The prime minister expressed his disappointment with the decision by the U.S. administration

to impose tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum,” a readout from his office said.

“The prime minister noted that, given our shared history, it is inconceivable that Canadian steel or aluminum might be a security threat to the U.S.” Trudeau told the premiers he plans to vigorously defend and protect Canadian workers and industry and that he is committed to successfully renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement because it “is in the best interests of Canadians.”

James Comey, the FBI director so famously fired by Trump last year, told an Ottawa audience Tuesday that the G7 leaders simply can’t trust what the president tells them.

“It doesn’t mean he’s not going to tell the truth from time to time,” Comey said. “You just can’t count on it, and you have to make sure you structure your approach knowing that.” ■

Trudeau, G7... ❰❰ 19

Canada to inject $500 million in new money towards the initiative.

One of Canada’s overarching themes for the summit is improving gender equality for women. Aid agencies are urging Trudeau to maintain that course.

“We will be disappointed if G7 leaders cannot resolve a deadlock, which will once again hit the poorest and most vulnerable the hardest. It will be a missed opportunity of epic proportions,” David Morley, the president of UNICEF Canada, told The Canadian Press.

Michael Messenger, the president of World Vision Canada, said he hopes education for girls is one subject that the G7 leaders are able to agree on.

“With many competing priorities around the G7 table, funding girls’ education in crises presents an opportunity for consensus,” he said.

U.S. protectionism will domi-

www.canadianinquirer.net

MANILA — Ride-sharing firm Grab Philippines is eyeing to provide subsidies to its drivers to motivate them to render quality services to passengers amid the current limited supply of transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) units.

The enhanced incentive to drivers will also help Grab recoup the increase in its operating costs in the past few years.

“We will be providing spot incentives. These incentives will be applied the moment a booking is made. We need to widen the radius in order that our vehicles will have larger areas to operate,” Grab country head Brian Cu said in a press conference in Quezon City Tuesday.

“Spot incentive will be applied for every kilometer exceeding 2 km. in booked trips.

The extra 1 km. will be given as spot incentive,” Cu said.

Grab will offer subsidies out of its revenues and will not affect the fare that will be paid by riders.

“This will be placed as part of the entire incentives program. This is a new feature on the technology side. We want to ensure that drivers will not be operating on a loss. Our current profitability is not the question here. The question here is how

Grab country head Brian Cu.

we can improve our services,” Cu said.

The operating costs of Grab Philippines has increased to PHP4.57 billion last year from PHP2.45 billion in 2016 while its net losses amounted to PHP2.92 billion in 2017 compared to PHP1.56 billion in 2016.

The increase in Grab’s operating costs was attributed to revenues from the 20 percent commission from rides that are being used for driver incentives.

“We do not expect the situation to change in the next 12 to 18 months. We are still in investment mode and are not expecting to make money anytime sooner. But these losses are still within our budget forecast,” Cu said.

Grab earlier said it is seeking for the migration of about 6,000 drivers to its platform, who were displaced following the halt of Uber’s operations last April. It currently receives about 600,000 passenger booking requests daily but only 35,000 vehicles are available to serve the riding public.

The company also said that the suspension of the PHP2per-minute charge by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has resulted in the reduction of the number of its drivers on the road. ■

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31

PH, SoKor discuss USD191-M projects under ODA

BY KRIS CRISMUNDO Philippine News Agency SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — The Philippines has discussed two infrastructure-related projects and a proposed revenue monitoring “infostructure” system in the pipeline with a total combined cost of USD191 million for possible financing by South Korea, which has pledged up to USD1 billion in official development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines on the Duterte watch.

During a meeting here with Korea Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance Kim Dong Yeon, Philippine Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said he has also proposed that two to three other big-ticket projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program be funded from the balance of the ODA that South Korea has committed from 2017 to 2022, The first project to be funded

by the USD1 billion ODA under the Philippines-Korea Framework Arrangement is the New Cebu International Container Port, with the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Export Import Bank of KoreaEconomic Development Cooperation Fund (KEXIM-EDCF) signing a USD172.64 million loan agreement for this project.

The Framework Arrangement was signed last month between the Philippines and Korea, which has committed to double its ODA from USD500 million from 2011 to 2013 to USD1 billion from 2017 to 2022.

Another USD191 million in financing for three other projects in the immediate pipeline under the USD1 billion Framework Arrangement was discussed by Dominguez with Minister Kim during their Monday meeting.

These are the 1) USD50 million Project Preparation Facility of the National Irrigation Administration, 2) the USD100

million financing for the New Dumaguete Airport Development Project; and 3) USD41 million for the implementation of an Electronic Receipt, Invoice and Sales Reporting System that will help the Philippines improve its revenuemonitoring mechanisms.

Minister Kim expressed his support to the e-governance project, which Dominguez said was part of the Philippines’ planned “infostructure”, as well as the Duterte administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) during the meeting.

“He (Kim) hopes we complete the tax reform program successfully. He understands the importance of the tax reform program to the sustainability of our economic emergence,” Dominguez said in a press briefing here.

Dominguez said the Philippines will submit “as soon as possible” “two or three” other flagship projects under the

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the Bilateral Meeting with the Republic of Korea.

TOTO LOZANO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

“Build, Build, Build” program for Korea’s consideration, which would be funded from the balance of USD636 million out of the USD1-billion Framework Arrangement.

“I assured Deputy Prime Minister Kim our strict monitoring of the projects to make sure that none of the Korean taxpayers’ money is wasted and that all the ODA-supported projects will bring lasting benefits to the Filipino people,” said Dominguez, who was part of the official Philippine delegation of President Rodrigo Duterte in

his official visit to South Korea.

Dominguez said he also discussed with Kim ways to speed up the process for financing these proposed projects, after which both sides agreed to form a small cluster and hold more frequent consultations to ensure that their “priorities remain aligned” and project preparation and implementation issues are addressed thoroughly.

“We hope to get the projects running at the soonest possible time to support the rapid expansion of our economy,” Dominguez said. ■

UK economy ‘on course to rebound’ in Q2

BY ROBERT STEVENS The Associated Press LONDON — The British economy appears to be bouncing back following a period of near-stagnation that had reinforced fears about the impact of Brexit, surveys indicated Tuesday.

The British Retail Consortium said overall sales rose by a solid 4.1 per cent in May. It credited the rise to sunny weather and said sales were boosted in the run-up to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The day itself was more subdued though as households up and down the land opted to stay at home and watch the festivities.

And in a survey of service sector activity that is closely monitored by the Bank of England found growth running at a three-month high. In their monthly survey of the service sector, financial information company IHS Markit and the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply said their

so-called purchasing managers’ index for the sector — a broad gauge of business activity — rose to 54 in May from 52.8 the previous month. Anything above 50 indicates expansion.

“The improvement in service sector activity adds to evidence that the economy is on course to rebound in the second quarter,” said Chris Williamson, IHS Markit’s chief business economist.

Williamson said that after taking into account separate surveys into manufacturing and construction, growth in the April-June period could come in at 0.4 per cent, ahead of the first quarter’s tepid rate of 0.1 per cent.

“However, disappointing inflows of new work suggest that growth could wane in coming months as Brexit-related uncertainty continues to weigh on spending decisions and dampen business confidence,” he said.

Brexit remains the biggest challenge for the British economy. Firms have been reluctant

IHS Markit’s chief business economist Chris Williamson.

to invest without any clear idea of the country’s future relationship with the EU. Britain is due to leave the bloc in March, 2019 but the lack of progress in Brexit discussions in recent months is raising fears that the country faces a “cliff-edge” departure.

That could mean that firms will see tariffs slapped on their exports and trading levels heavily www.canadianinquirer.net

IHS

hit.

However, one of the early impacts of Brexit appears to be waning. After the country voted to leave the EU in June 2016, the pound fell sharply, raising the cost of imported goods, a development that stoked inflation and reduced living standards and weighed on consumer spending. Now, though,

with inflation falling and wages rising, consumer spending appears to be buoyant.

Another sign of an improving consumer backdrop alongside the BRC figures came from the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders, which found that new car demand grew by 3.4 per cent in the year to May. This is the latest increase following a long run of declines that many industry experts partly blame on the impact of the Brexit vote.

Overall, Tuesday’s figures may well stoke expectations that the Bank of England will increase interest rates again this year. It held off from raising its benchmark rate by a quarter-point to 0.75 per cent in May largely because of the slowdown in first-quarter growth, which it said was primarily due to a protracted bout of wintry weather.

“As such these data releases keep the prospect of an August rate hike firmly on the table,” said James Knightley, chief international economist at ING. ■

32

Technology Apple dangling more goodies, while adding tech diet options

BY MICHAEL LIEDTKE AND RYAN NAKASHIMA The Associated Press SAN JOSE, CALIF. — Apple will offer more ways for people to limit the time they spend on iPhones while introducing features designed to make its products even more indispensable.

The paradox emerged Monday as Apple executives previewed new versions of free software due out this fall.

The forthcoming controls are aimed at addressing criticism that devices are becoming increasingly addictive and distracting, especially for children. Experts worry that all the flashy colours and beeps give users short-term, feel-good rewards while increasing stress in the long run.

Yet Apple made it clear it also hopes to make its devices and services even more alluring — and potentially irresistible — by creating new avenues for its digital assistant, Siri, to serve as a backup brain for users. The company is also creating more entertainment options and new ways to communicate, including group video chats through FaceTime and more options for the iPhone X’s animated emojis.

People have become so dependent on technology that it’s unlikely any company will be able to solve the addiction problem, but they can help keep it from getting worse, Gartner analyst Brian Blau said. The best hope, he said, is for tech-

nology to help people enjoy life and then get out of the way.

“Apple at least seems to be hearing what people are saying and trying to do something about it,” he said.

Apple’s new controls will expand on the “Do Not Disturb” options on the iPhone and iPad. The display can also be set to dim automatically just before bedtime. Users can also block app notifications from showing up on the home screen not only based on time of day, which they can do now, but by location, such as when visiting the playground with their kids.

Other features will provide weekly reports on how much time people are spending looking at their screen each month.

Users will be able to set daily time limits on specific apps.

Last month, Google revealed plans to force Android phones into “shush” mode when placed face down on a table and have the screen show only greyscale colours late at night.

Other highlights during Apple’s annual software preview include:

ity to identify specific devices by creating a unique fingerprint based on a device’s settings, installed fonts and plugins. Instead, Apple will send out generic information to make all Apple devices look alike.

Unlike Facebook and Google, Apple doesn’t depend on online ads dictated by data about a user’s interests. Instead, Apple generates most of its revenue from device sales.

Chris Hoofnagle, faculty director of the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology, believes Apple’s move will prod rivals Mozilla and Microsoft to do the same, though Google may remain a holdout with the Chrome browser given the company’s dependence on ads and data.

The announcement comes as Facebook acknowledges it struck data-sharing deals with at least 60 device makers, including Apple. Facebook insisted there was nothing scandalous and said the deals were designed to make it easier for people to use Facebook features without opening its app or website.

Better browsing privacy

Augmented reality gets augmented

Apple is taking a swipe at ubiquitous “share” buttons created by Facebook and others to track users’ behaviour online regardless of whether they click on them. The company said it’s shutting down that tracking, unless the user decides to permit it, through a Safari browser update for Mac and iOS devices, including iPhones and iPads.

Apple also intends to crack down on data companies’ abil-

Apple rolled out new support for augmented reality as it unveiled a new format for digital objects that appear to live in the real world. Digital objects created with the new format, called USDZ, will work in Apple’s Safari browser, Messages and Mail apps, meaning AR isn’t limited to stand-alone apps that people choose to download separately.

www.canadianinquirer.net

HEATHER SHIMMIN / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Apple is trying to extend AR experiences to a broader population, rather than just hardcore, tech-savvy users. What remains to be seen is whether there is enough of a compelling reason for someone to use AR, even if it’s built into everyday apps.

Siri shortcuts

A broader range of third-party apps will be able to let users invoke Siri for commonly used tasks, much the way competing assistants from Google and Amazon long have. But Ben Wood, head of research at CCS Insight, said Apple still has a lot of work to do to close the cap with Amazon and Google.

Sharing photos

Apple will encourage users to share photos with their friends by suggesting such opportunities in a new “for you” tab.

When a friend receives photos from an event, Apple will then suggest that the friend reciprocate with photos from the same

event. It’s similar to how Google already encourages sharing through its own Photos app for iPhones and Android devices.

Beyond iPhones

The company is bringing the Dolby Atmos surround-sound feature to Apple TV 4K devices, while Apple Watch’s software gets a “Walkie Talkie” voice messaging feature that resembles the alternating one-way voice technology of the past.

The watch will also automatically detect workouts without having to launch the fitness app.

Apple is trying to make Macs and iPhones work better together. The company showed off how photos taken on iPhones can instantly appear inside a Mac document. The new macOS version, Mojave, also gets iPhone apps such as Home, News, Stocks and Voice Memos. ■ Ryan Nakashima reported from San Francisco.

Technology

FRIDAY JUNE 8, 2018

33

Canada needs wireless auction by 2019 or consumers will be left behind: Telus exec

BY DAVID PADDON The Canadian Press TORONTO — Canadian consumers are in danger of being left out of the latest smartphone technology unless the government holds an important spectrum auction next year, the chief technology officer for Telus said Monday.

Ibrahim Gedeon told the annual Canadian Telecom Summit in Toronto that device and network equipment manufacturers are pushing ahead quickly to get their products ready for fifth-generation wireless networks by 2020.

Fifth-generation networks are expected to open a new level of communications capabilities because of their ability to carry large volumes of data at speeds comparable with current highspeed landlines.

The problem for Canada is that the federal ministry that allocates spectrum hasn’t said when it will hold the auction for the 3,500 megahertz band of spectrum, also known as 3.5 gigahertz.

Telus and Canada’s other major wireless network operators have been pushing for Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains to commit to having the 3,500 MHz auction by next year.

If the government doesn’t hold the 3,500 MHz auction until 2020 or 2021, Canada will be

Telus and Canada’s other major wireless network operators have been pushing for Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains to commit to having the 3,500 MHz auction by next year.

TORONTO-IMAGES.COM / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

out of step with the global telecommunications ecosystem, which includes smartphones makers and other manufacturers, Gedeon said.

“You will not be able, as a Canadian, to use the latest Samsung phone, or the latest LG, or the latest Huawei, or even the latest iPhone, till 2021,” Gedeon predicted in an interview after the speech.

The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development has said previously that it will lay out its roadmap for the next spectrum auction

this summer. vISED has been refining its plan for wireless spectrum auctions for some time, but Bains said in April that spectrum licences are one of government’s tools to stimulate competition which, in turn, will lead to lower prices and better service.

“And that’s really the purpose of spectrum,” Bains said in an interview in April.

Gedeon said Monday he hopes Bains will address the issue again when he speaks at the telecom conference on Wednesday afternoon because the net-

work operators and their suppliers need certainty in order to make the necessary investments in research, development, testing and deployment.

The smartphone manufacturers and other equipment suppliers are under pressure to provide their devices with the most advanced available frequencies, because consumers often purchase the fastest available.

“They’re not going to wait,” Gedeon said.

“We would be the only country in the world, if we’re launch-

ing by 2020 and 2021, that will not have access to the latest devices.”

Earlier Monday, conference co-organizer Mark Goldberg opened the three-day event with a call for the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to rely more on market forces than on regulations to determine pricing.

In particular, he took aim at the CRTC’s decision to order Canada’s three major wireless networks to offer a low-cost, data-only wireless service.

“More regulation won’t deliver more competitive prices. Let service providers compete — truly compete,” Goldberg said in his opening speech.

CRTC chairman Ian Scott told reporters in March, after announcing the “skinny basic” decision, that the regulator had balanced consumers’ desire for better pricing and services with the need for a sustainable business model for network operators.

Consumers and consumeradvocacy groups have complained that Canada has some of the highest prices for wireless data service. The country’s main carriers have countered that Canada also has among the best wireless networks in the world because they have invested billions in advanced technologies, such as 5G, and costly network infrastructure. ■

Facebook under scrutiny over data sharing after NYT report THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK — Facebook is pushing back against a media report saying that it provided extensive information about its users and their friends to third parties like phone makers.

The New York Times reported Sunday that Facebook struck data-sharing deals with at least 60 device makers, including Apple and Amazon, raising more concerns about what users give up when they use Facebook.

Facebook says it disagrees with reporting by the paper regarding software it rolled out 10

years ago that helped get Facebook on to devices like iPhones.

Ime Archibong, vice-president of product partnerships, said in blog post that Facebook has maintained tight control over the technology, known as application programming interfaces, or APIs, and that it is not aware of any abuse by the companies that it teamed with.

The Times report says Facebook allowed the companies access to the data of friends of the user without their explicit consent, a practice that landed the company in the crosshairs of Congress during the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

Some device makers, according to the Times, could get personal information from those friends even though they were under the impression that they had barred any sharing if their data.

Archibong said that the companies it partnered with had signed agreements that prevented people’s Facebook information from being used for any purpose other than to recreate Facebook-like experiences. And friends’ information was only accessible on devices when people made a decision to share their information with those friends, he said. www.canadianinquirer.net

The APIs now in question, according to Archibong, are very different from those used

by Cambridge Analytica. Facebook suspended Cambridge Analytica in light of allegations that it had improperly harvested personal data from as many as 87 million Facebook accounts and used the material in Donald Trump’s presidential election campaign. Cambridge Analytica has since been dissolved.

Facebook announced in April that it was winding down access to the device-integrated APIs because fewer people rely on them today. To date, Facebook

has ended 22 such partnerships with technology companies.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared before Congress in April to answer questions about data the company provided to third parties about their users. Late last month, he testified before European Union lawmakers, where he apologized for the way the social network has been used to produce fake news, interfere in elections and sweep up people’s personal data.

Shares slipped less than 1 per cent at the opening bell Monday. ■

JUNE 8, 2018

34

CANADA

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GENERAL LABOUR POSITION (Full Time o Permanente) (Mississauga) Refrigerated, Meat Processing Environment

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NANNY/BABYSITTER

LOCATION: BRAMPTON Employer: Romelo Perez for 2 children (15 & 11 y.o.), Mon-Fri, $14/hr for 40 hrs/wk. 3 year-contract Requirements: LanguageEnglish. Education- Completion of secondary school (min.)

Experience- 1-2 yrs. child care/babysitting exp; criminal record check, in good health. Duties: Supervise and care for children, prepare and serve meals, assist with feeding, grooming, hygiene, homework and school projects. Perform light housekeeping & cleaning duties including wash/iron clothes and household linens.

Take children to and from school and appointments, travel with family if needed.

APPLY BY EMAIL: melo.perez@outlook.com

www.canadianinquirer.net

35

Travel Wellness travel: It’s more than just staying fit on the road

BY KELLI KENNEDY The Associated Press FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. — It’s one thing when hotels open fitness centres, but quite another when fitness centres open hotels.

Luxe gym Equinox is opening a hotel in New York’s new Hudson Yards neighbourhood next year in a move that embodies the evolution of wellness travel.

Most hotels have beefed up fitness options — you can book rooms with stationary bikes and rent workout clothes — but wellness travel has become much more than just keeping fit while on the road. Increasingly it’s become the point of the journey. And it’s bringing in big dollars.

Whether it’s foraging for your own medicinal herbs in Peru, cycling across the California coastline or spending several thousand dollars to workout alongside celeb trainer Tracy Anderson in Aspen, Colorado, wellness tourists made 691 million trips in 2015, according to the Global Wellness Institute.

In the past, wellness vacations straddled between starvation-style bootcamps or relaxing spa weekends to detox from an unhealthy lifestyle. But as self-care has evolved into a daily goal, it’s found an obvious match in travel. International and domestic wellness tourism brought in $563 billion in 2015, up from $489 billion in 2013,

according to the Global Wellness Institute. Wellness travel is expected to grow to $808 billion by 2020.

The travel trend has mirrored the shift in retail. Gone are the days when shoppers head to a brick-and-mortar store to buy shoes that they could buy online. Instead, they’re being lured to stores by experiences.

Similarly, vacationers are less excited about lying on the beach with umbrella drinks. They too want a more immersive experience, like a yoga meditation retreat or surf camp, to connect with others and revitalize themselves, experts say. “(Fitness has) gone from being an activity to now it’s a destination. It’s a purpose,” said Marshal Cohen, an analyst for the trend group NPD. “That’s a huge shift in spending. We’re not building wardrobes anymore. We’re building memories and the photos we’re clicking on our phones and posting on social media are the fruits of our labour.”

The Curtain Bluff resort in Antigua launched a new wellness concierge where guests can meet with the team at no extra charge to design their own fitness program including everything from zumba to pilates. Amanpuri’s resort in Phuket, Thailand, created four wellness immersions, where guests can focus on fitness, weight loss, digestive cleanses or mental awareness during a three- to 14-night vacation. Of-

ferings include reiki, an alternative stress-reduction therapy, and life-coaching.

The trend is even spilling over to cruises, once stereotyped as weight-gaining vacations with bottomless buffets. Now, wellness can be the point of the cruise. Holland America Line, in partnership with O, The Oprah Magazine, has programs for meditation and healthy living.

Cruise passengers can also combine wellness with sightseeing in ports of call. Take a shore excursion on a Regents Seven Seas cruise, for example, and you might end up doing yoga on a coconut plantation in Ko Samui, Thailand, or outdoor tai chi in Marseille, France, with a view of the sea on one side and a palace on the other.

“We are seeing (cruise) lines of every ilk and size embrace healthy eating, fitness, all sorts of positive, new kinds of approaches to yoga and that kind of thing,” said CruiseCritic editor at large Carolyn Spencer Brown.

Savvy athleisure retailers are also seizing on it. Lululemon and Free People, a bohemian line popular with yogis, have both branched into wellness tourism. Free People’s retreats started a few years ago where participants can exercise and try journaling or tarot card workshop in spots like Glacier National Park.

Zen travellers are shelling out thousands to follow celebrity trainers to exotic destinations. Tracy Anderson, who is

Gwyneth Paltrow’s business partner and the trainer who shapes Jennifer Lopez’s famous booty, hosts a handful of intimate weekends each year with less than 40 guests. Participants sweat alongside the fitness guru and get to know her during fireside-style chats in cities including Miami and Aspen. The weekends, priced at several thousand dollars, always sell out.

Shakira’s trainer Anna Kaiser leads a few trips a year, including recent stints in Ojai and Austin. And retreats for the hot workout du jour The Class

by Taryn Toomey have all sold out, often within one hour.

Toomey’s guests pay between $2,000 and $6,000 for her cathartic workouts with options for beachside massages and picturesque hikes in spots like

Mustique and Mexico.

Roughly 100,000 wellness lovers attended uber-popular Wanderlust festivals across North America last year, partaking in everything from yoga and meditation to stand-up paddleboarding and spinning in spots like Oahu, Hawaii, and Squaw Valley, California.

Meghan Aftosmis loved Wanderlust’s Vermont event so much last year that she’s heading back in a few weeks.

The 39-year-old public relations exec from Delaware says she was eager to take yoga classes with one of the celebrity teachers. She also took a poetry session with a teacher she’d been following online.

“It comes down to having an experience and especially in the summer I look for new adventures,” she said. ■

Are old-fashioned road trips trendy again?

BY BETH J. HARPAZ The Associated Press SUDDENLY, old-fashioned road trips are trendy again.

Surveys show they’re on the rise. Websites, newspapers, magazines and even books are featuring road trips like they’re

the next big thing — even though they’re actually a longstanding American tradition steeped in nostalgia and pop culture, from the 1950s Beat Generation literary classic “On the Road” to the 1983 comedy movie “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” On Instagram, the hashtag #roadtrip shows up 37

million times.

In some ways, the comeback of this 20th century-style vacation is surprising in an era when “time has become more far more precious than money, a priceless commodity not to be squandered lumbering along down endless miles of highway,” writes Richard Ratay in his upwww.canadianinquirer.net

coming book, “Don’t Make Me Pull Over!: An Informal History of the Family Road Trip.”

In other words, why spend 18 hours driving 1,200 miles when you could get there in two hours by plane?

Well, here’s why: flying is expensive, and the more people taking the trip, the cheaper it

is to pile everyone in a car (instead of buying airfare for a family of four).

Flying is also unpleasant.

Getting to the airport, allowing time for security, dealing with delays and baggage can easily turn a two-hour flight into ❱❱ PAGE 36 Are old-fashioned

36

Travel

JUNE 8, 2018

Bathe naked with strangers?

Welcome to a Japanese bathhouse

BY LINDA LOMBARDI The Associated Press TOKYO — Japan is proud of its bathing traditions. For many Westerners, though, the fact that these traditions involve being naked with strangers is awkward at best, even though men and women bathe separately.

On my first trip I tried to wriggle out of a friend’s offer to take me to an onsen, or hot springs resort. I suggested a different town that had an attraction I wanted to see, and thought I was off the hook.

I should have done my research better: That town was famous for its onsen as well.

It turned out for the best, though, because I’ve become a fan. Nothing is more relaxing after a tiring day of sightseeing than a long soak, and you can reassure yourself that you’re experiencing authentic culture at the same time.

Two terms are basic when talking about Japanese baths: onsen and sento. An onsen has natural hot spring water. A sento, usually translated as public bath, typically uses regular water, traditionally heated by burning wood. Tall chimneys for the smoke are one visual symbol of the city sento.

The distinction is noted because various spring waters are supposed to have different health benefits. Onsen are commonly found at hotels and resorts outside the city, but there are about 45 sento in Tokyo, for example, that do have natural spring water.

For the outsider, though, the facilities will look much the same and more important, so are the traditions and etiquette.

Stephanie Crohin is author of a book in Japanese about sento.

For the past three years, she has been the official volunteer ambassador for the Tokyo Sento Association. She has visited over 700 sento across Japan and her book and Instagram feed reveal the beauty of their interiors, where photography is usually prohibited, including many traditional painted murals and immaculate tilework.

She reassures first-timers that with everyone else acting

Are old-fashioned... ❰❰ 35

a trip that sucks up most of your day and all of your soul. For some travellers, it’s more appealing to get up early, hit the road and spend all day driving.

At least you can bring more than one bag without paying extra. And you can stop where you want, when you want.

So is the summer of 2018 the summer of the road trip? Here are some insights into why it might be, along with some resources for planning your own road trip.

Surveys

like it’s normal, you will quickly get comfortable. “For some people it is a big challenge to be naked in front of others, but genders are separate, and everybody just doesn’t look and doesn’t care,” she says. “It is the ideal place to forget about complexes!”

Although you won’t have much trouble finding a sento in a city like Tokyo, their numbers are in fact declining. Last year, she says, 40 sento closed in Tokyo. Fifty years ago, there were around 2,700 sento in the city, but now there are around 560, with 2,500 across the country.

One reason sento are closing is that many of their customers are elderly. Now that every home has its own bath, younger people often never cultivated the habit. Some sento are trying new strategies to attract customers, including presenting exhibits and events such as concerts and developing English information to attract tourists.

Another innovation: “super sento,” more like day spas with additional facilities and entertainment. One in Tokyo, Oedo Onsen Monogatari, is basically a hot bath theme park with a recreated Edo period townscape.

These may be an easy way in for the first-timer, but if you want to experience authentic

local culture, make sure you try a sento too. Just follow the rules so you’ll fit in. At a typical bath here’s the routine: • Leave your shoes in an outside locker.

• Pay the fee. If you haven’t brought your own soap and shampoo, you can buy small bottles and rent towels. You’ll be given one large towel and a small one.

• Go through the entrance for your gender. (You might want to memorize the characters for “man” and “woman” in advance.)

• In the changing room, undress and put your clothes in a locker. This part should feel familiar to anyone who’s been to a gym.

• Leave the big towel in the locker but take the small one with you. Use it for washing and/or to dry yourself a bit after your bath so you don’t drip onto the changing room floor.

• The bathroom has individual washing stations. The station may already have a stool, or you can take one and a wash basin from a stack. The basin is the traditional way to wash and rinse yourself, but now there are also hand sprayers.

• Wash thoroughly. The bath ❱❱ PAGE 38 Bathe naked

www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY

MMGY Global’s 2017-18 Portrait of American Travelers found road trips represented 39 per cent of vacations taken by American travellers in 2016, up from 22 per cent in 2015. The top reason cited for taking road trips: the ability to make stops along the way.

Other reasons (besides lower costs and avoiding air travel) include the ease of taking pets along and the ability to make plans last-minute.

One surprise finding: The resurgence in road trips is “led by millennials,” said Steve Cohen, senior vice-president, travel insights, MMGY Global. “When we look at the total number of road trips, there were more taken by millennials than any other generation.” And even though they’re young, nostalgia plays a role. Millennials are remembering trips they took “when they were kids, which wasn’t that long ago,” Cohen said.

The price of gas, by the way, matters less than you might expect. A recent AAA survey concluded that even though gas costs more now than at any time since 2014, that’s not keeping people home. AAA also said road trips were the most popular option for family vacations in their survey.

Another report, this one from Ford, called “The New American Road Trip(pers): How ‘Digital Nomads’ and Technology Blur Work and Play,” found 50 per cent of those surveyed said road trips are more appealing than other forms of travel like air, cruise and trains because you can be “more spontaneous” when you’re driving.

In print

Road trips are getting a lot of attention lately from print me-

dia and the publishing industry.

The New York Times ran a story earlier this year headlined “The Great American Road Trip: Shorter and More Popular Than Ever.” The cover story in the summer issue of Lonely Planet’s magazine is titled, “Our favourite road trips: Ireland, Alberta, Botswana, North Carolina, Texas, Australia and more.” The Wall Street Journal called van trips “the latest luxury getaway,” while a recent coffee-table book, “Van Life: Your Home on the Road,” by Foster Huntington, grew out of the author’s three-year adventure travelling around North America in a Volkswagen van.

Skift.com, the travel industry website, just completed a threepart series called “The Future of American Road Trips,” stating that road trips are “statistically on the rise due to both economic and cultural factors.”

New technology like mobile mapping services, the ability to research and book lodging and tours as you go, and options for working remotely have also made it easier for people to hop in their cars and head out.

Where to go

A colossal 960-page book published in May called “The Road Trip Book: 1001 Drives of a Lifetime,” edited by Darryl Sleath, describes road trips all over the globe, from South Africa’s Chapman’s Peak Drive to California’s Pacific Coast Highway to the Pamir Highway from Afghanistan to Kyrgzystan.

Many of the trips are accompanied by digital route outlines that can be explored with GoogleMaps.

Chevrolet worked with a data scientist, Randy Olson, to calculate the most efficient road trip route around the U.S., with one family-friendly stop in each of the 48 contiguous states. It would take 214 hours (around nine days) of nonstop driving to complete the entire 13,000mile route. The itinerary ranges from Disneyland in Anaheim, California, to national parks like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Lake Champlain in Vermont and the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

Here’s an interactive map of the route: /rhiever.git. ■

37

Food A pair of ways to celebrate the humble and tangy radish

BY ELIZABETH KARMEL The Associated Press I DON’T remember when I had radishes with unsalted butter and coarse salt for the first time, but I know that it was in France. And, it was the oblong red-to-fushia, white-tipped French Breakfast radish that I fell in love with. This often photographed radish is what I think of when I think of French openair markets. I myself have taken more photos of the radishes in the market than I can count. So, I am thrilled that you can now find them in the United States.

If you have a home garden, you can also grow them.

I don’t have a vegetable garden, but I belong to a CSA (community supported agriculture) which essentially means that I get a weekly share of the local farm’s vegetables. So, imagine my delight when my first box contained baby French breakfast radishes. Last summer, they did not have these radishes, so I was doubly excited. I was so thrilled to see the radishes that I ignored everything else in my CSA box and promptly made a “tartine.” A tartine is not a complicated dish. It is simply the French name for open-faced sandwich. Mine was composed solely of the radishes, unsalted butter and my favourite naturally coarse French salt, fleur de sel (flower of salt).

The first time that I experienced the luscious combination of butter, radish and salt was on a slice of the famous brown sourdough bread from Poilane. The toothsome and rustic bread with a sour tang and chewy crust was the perfect canvas for the toppings. The crunchy, slightly hot and spicy radishes tamed by the sweet butter and rounded out by the crystals of pure salt from the fleur de sel was one of the great food moments of my life and left a lasting impression. It is one of those classic food pairings where the whole is much

greater than the sum of the parts.

You can make a tartine with the more easily available globe radishes or the gorgeous watermelon radish, or a combination of your favourite radishes. You can also serve the radishes with the same garnishes, but without the bread as a nibble with drinks. Truth be told, I do this much more frequently because the tartine also relies on a really nice rustic loaf of bread and I don’t always have that on hand.

But I always have good quality unsalted butter and fleur de sel, so this is a pretty, tasty, easy and relatively healthy pre-dinner snack.

To serve, I place room temperature butter in a pretty crock, a tablespoon of fleur de sel in a small salt cellar or small bowl and serve the radishes ice cold in a third bowl. If using breakfast radishes, clean and trim them, leaving a bit of the green tops on to act like a handle. Soak in ice water to crisp up before serving. To eat them, dip the radishes in the soft butter and fleur de sel just before consuming and watch the bowl of radishes disappear! If you haven’t had this remarkable simple treat before, prepare to become addicted.

If using globe radishes, in addition to trimming the tops as you did for the breakfast radishes, cut a slit into the four sides of the radish with a paring knife. Soak them in ice water for about 30 minutes to crisp up and bloom a bit before serving.

You can also simply cut an “X” in the bottom of the radish to hold the butter and salt. Smear with butter first and then dip into the salt. Pop into your mouth and enjoy!

Open-faced radish tartine

Serving: 1 (but can be multiplied to make as many as you like) Start to finish: 40 minutes • 1 thick slice of rustic bread • 1 tablespoon unsalted high-

quality European-style butter • 3-4 radishes, cleaned and sliced thin, but not too thin.

• Fleur de sel or other coarse sea salt Toast a slice of rustic bread and let cool on the rack of the toaster so that it won’t steam on itself. You want it to cool so that it will be crunchy but not melt the butter. Once cool, spread the butter and layer the sliced radishes over the whole surface. If you want the radishes to be at maximum crunchiness, soak in ice water for about 30 minutes before making the tartine. You can add fresh herbs to the butter if you like, but I prefer the simplicity of the butter, salt and radishes.

Just before eating, sprinkle Fleur de sel on top and enjoy. I do this just before I eat the tartine because I want the salt to be crunchy and I don’t want to give it time to pull the moisture from the radishes.

Radishes with sweet butter and salt

Servings: 4 Start to finish: 40 minutes

• 4 tablespoons unsalted “sweet” European-butter, room temperature • 1 tablespoon Fleur de sel or other coarse sea salt • 10-12 cleaned and trimmed radishes. www.canadianinquirer.net

Place room temperature butter in a pretty crock, the fleur de sel in a small salt cellar or small bowl and serve the radishes ice cold in a third bowl. If using breakfast radishes, clean and trim them, leaving a bit of the green tops on to act like a handle. Soak in ice water to crisp up before serving. Dip the radishes in the soft butter and fleur de sel.

If using globe radishes, trim the tops, leaving a little of the greenery for looks and to use as a handle. Cut a slit into four sides of the radish with a paring knife, and soak them in ice water for about 30 minutes before serving. You can also simply

cut an “X” in the bottom of the radish to hold the butter and salt. Smear with butter first and then dip into the salt. ■ Nutrition information per serving of tartine : 215 calories; 115 calories from fat; 13 g fat (7 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 31 mg cholesterol; 1169 mg sodium; 23 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 3 g sugar; 3 g protein.

Nutrition information per serving of radishes with butter and salt: 104 calories; 102 calories from fat; 12 g fat (7 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 31 mg cholesterol; 1447 mg sodium; 0 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 0 g sugar; 0 g protein.

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Food

JUNE 8, 2018

FRIDAY

What the secret to making great whoopie pies?

Brown sugar AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN MADE UP of two cookie-like chocolate cakes stuffed to the gills with fluffy marshmallow filling, the whoopie pie is a sweet indulgence.

For the cake component, we drew inspiration from devil’s food cake, creaming butter with sugar, adding eggs and buttermilk for tenderness, and using allpurpose flour and baking soda for the right amount of structure.

For the chocolate flavour, we preferred the darker colour and flavour that Dutch-processed cocoa provided. Onehalf cup of cocoa delivered a balanced flavour, especially when boosted with a splash of vanilla extract.

We tried replacing some of the granulated sugar with brown sugar, and found that it deepened flavour and added moisture. In fact, we liked the results so much we wound up using all brown sugar.

Using a 1/3-cup dry measuring cup, we portioned the batter onto two baking sheets to give the cakes plenty of room to spread. For the filling, we eschewed the traditional sugar and lard in favour

of marshmallow creme, which we enriched with butter for a mixture that was fluffy yet firm. Don’t be tempted to bake all the cakes on one baking sheet; the batter needs room to spread while it bakes.

Whoopie pies

Makes: 6 sandwich cookies Start to finish: 1 hour

Cakes • 2 cups (10 ounces) all-purpose flour • 1/2 cup (1 1/2 ounces) Dutch-processed cocoa powder • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened • 1 cup packed (7 ounces) light brown sugar • 1 large egg, room temperature • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 cup buttermilk • Filling • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened • 1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) confectioners’ sugar • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1/8 teaspoon salt • 2 1/2 cups marshmallow creme For the cakes Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 350 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt together in bowl.

Using stand mixer fitted with paddle, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Add egg and beat until incorporated, scraping down bowl as needed. Add vanilla and mix until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with buttermilk in 2 additions. Give batter final stir by hand to ensure that no flour pockets remain.

Using 1/3-cup dry measuring cup, scoop 6 mounds of batter onto each prepared sheet, spaced about 3 inches apart. Bake

until centres spring back when lightly pressed, 15 to 18 minutes, switching and rotating sheets halfway through baking.

Let cakes cool completely on sheets.

For the filling Using stand mixer fitted with paddle, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in vanilla and salt. Add marshmallow creme and mix until combined, about 2 minutes. Refrigerate until slightly firm, about 30 minutes. (Filling can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.) Place 1/3 cup filling on bottom of half of cakes, then top with remaining cakes, pressing to spread filling to edge. Serve. ■ Nutrition information per serving: 923 calories; 364 calories from fat; 41 g fat (25 g saturated; 2 g trans fats); 141 mg cholesterol; 555 mg sodium; 131 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 81 g sugar; 9 g protein.

Bathe naked... ❰❰ 36

is just for soaking; since the water there is shared, you’re expected to be clean first. Be careful not to splash your neighbours. _Tie up long hair. You don’t want it to dangle into the shared bath.

Now you’re ready to soak!

At this point you’ll still be carrying your small towel, which brings up another rule: never put your towel into the bath. If you’ve seen Japanese bathing on TV, people will usually be covered with www.canadianinquirer.net

towels, but that is only for filming. The most traditional thing to do with the small towel is fold it and rest it on your head while you’re bathing.

Finally, sento and onsen have traditionally prohibited tattoos, which are associated with organized crime. These restrictions are loosening. Sento are usually fine with them, but super sento and onsen resorts may not be, so check in advance. ■

39

FRIDAY JUNE 8, 2018

Follow these tips Grits with Chicken and for a rack of lamb Creamy Green Chili Pan Sauce that’s juicy inside COOKING ON DEADLINE:

BY KATIE WORKMAN The Associated Press IF YOU are from the South, then you do not need grits explained to you. Slide right on down to the recipe.

If you need a little more edification (and if you aren’t familiar with grits, your world is about to be rocked), here we go.

Grits are ground dried corn.

Traditionally, grits most often come from white corn. The whole shebang is similar to polenta, from the ground dried corn (usually yellow in the case of polenta) to how it is prepared. Purists in the grits or polenta camps would beg to differ.

Grits are usually a bit creamier in texture after being cooked, and appear on plates or in bowls at breakfast, lunch and dinner in the South.

There are different kinds of grits, which take different amounts of time to cook. I often use quick-cooking grits (or polenta) because in less than 10 minutes you can have your grits ready to serve. If you have a little more time, the texture of the longer-cooking varieties is a bit more interesting. Be sure to read package instructions, as cooking times vary widely. Also note that the amount of liquid each kind requires can vary.

For breakfast, grits are usually served in a sweet way, with maple syrup or brown sugar on top, and generous amounts of butter (basically whatever you use to top oatmeal is appropriate for grits). For lunch or dinner, they usually take a savory twist — then they are more akin to rice or mashed potatoes in the way they round out a meal.

Here, they are enriched with some cream and cheese for an addictively fine base for quickly sauteed chicken breasts and a slightly creamy sauce. One little can of green chilies packs a nice amount of piquancy but not too much heat.

There are lots of ways to get acquainted with grits. Once you get to know them, be prepared for a deep, lifelong relationship.

Grits with chicken and creamy green chili pan sauce

AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN

Serves 4 Start to finish: 25 minutes • 2 cups water • 1 cup whole milk • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste • 3/4 cup quick cooking (not instant) grits • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces • 1/2 cup heavy cream • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan • 4 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic • 1 (4-ounce) can diced roasted green chilies • 1 cup chicken broth • 1/2 cup sour cream Place the milk and water in a saucepan with salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and slowly add the grits, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently for about 8 minutes until the grits are smooth and creamy. Stir in the butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan until the butter is melted and the grits are hot and very creamy.

While the grits are simmer-

ing, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the chicken breasts and saute until done, about 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken breasts to a plate and set aside.

Do not wipe out the skillet!

Add the garlic to the skillet and saute over medium heat for 1 minute, until it starts to colour. Add the green chilis, turn the heat up to medium high, then add the broth and stir to scrape up all the little flavourful bits that may be stuck to the bottom of the skillet. Simmer for about 4 minutes until the mixture reduces slightly. Whisk in the sour cream until well combined and heat just until the mixture is hot, but don’t allow it to come to a simmer.

Scoop some hot grits onto each of four individual plates.

Place a chicken breast on each plate, on top of the grits, and pour the sauce over the chicken breasts. Serve hot. ■ Nutrition information per serving: 585 calories; 297 calories from fat; 33 g fat (17 g saturated; 1 g trans fats); 167 mg cholesterol; 448 mg sodium; 35 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 5 g sugar; 35 g protein. www.canadianinquirer.net

RACK OF lamb and the grill have great chemistry. The intense heat of the coals produces a bold crust and melts away the meat’s abundance of fat, distributing flavour throughout while imparting a smokiness that’s the perfect complement to lamb’s rich, gamey flavour.

But the rendering fat can cause flare-ups that scorch the meat and impart sooty flavours, ruining this pricey cut.

For a foolproof outcome, we trimmed the excess fat from racks of lamb and built a split fire around an aluminum pan, creating a cooler centre where the fat could safely render before we moved the lamb over direct heat to brown the exterior.

As a last step, we stood the racks up and leaned them together to brown their bottoms.

Because lamb tastes so good on its own, it needed only a simple wet rub of robust herbs and a little oil brushed on during browning to enhance its flavour.

We were rewarded with rack of lamb that was pink and juicy, with a well-browned crust that contrasted nicely with the lush, ultra-tender interior.

We prefer the subtler flavour and larger size of lamb labeled “domestic” or “American,” but you may substitute lamb imported from New Zealand or Australia. Since imported racks are generally smaller, follow the shorter cooking times given in the recipe. We prefer rack of lamb cooked to medium-rare.

Grill-roasted rack of lamb

Servings: 4-6 Start to finish: 1 hour and 30 minutes • 4 teaspoons vegetable oil • 4 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary • 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 2 (1 1/2- to 1 3/4-pound) racks of lamb, fat trimmed to 1/8 to 1/4 inch and rib bones frenched

• Salt and pepper • 1 (13 by 9-inch) disposable aluminum roasting pan (if using charcoal) Combine 1 tablespoon oil, rosemary, thyme, and garlic in bowl; set aside. Pat lamb dry with paper towels, rub with remaining 1 teaspoon oil, and season with salt and pepper.

For a charcoal grill: Open bottom vent completely and place disposable pan in centre of grill.

Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour into 2 even piles on either side of disposable pan. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.

For a gas grill: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes.

Leave primary burner on high and turn off other burner(s).

Clean and oil cooking grate.

Place lamb, bone side up, on cooler part of grill with meaty side of racks very close to, but not quite over, heat source.

Cover and cook until meat is lightly browned, faint grill marks appear, and fat has begun to render, 8 to 10 minutes.

Flip racks bone side down and slide to hotter part of grill.

Cook until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Brush racks with herb mixture, flip bone side up, and cook until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Stand racks up, leaning them against each other for support, and cook until bottom is well browned and meat registers 125 degrees (for mediumrare), 3 to 8 minutes.

Transfer lamb to carving board and let rest for 20 minutes. Cut between ribs into separate chops and serve. ■ Nutrition information per serving: 387 calories; 189 calories from fat; 21 g fat (8 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 150 mg cholesterol; 572 mg sodium; 1 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 0 g sugar; 46 g protein

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JUNE 8, 2018

www.canadianinquirer.net

FRIDAY